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Top Gear props site destroyed by arson

Top Gear bosses were today counting the cost of a huge fire which swept through a barn housing many of the show’s familiar props.

The fire is believed to have been started just before midnight on Sunday destroying a large barn.

Firefighters and police were called to attend the huge blaze near St Albans, Hertfordshire, with seven fire engines dealing with flames up to 40 metres high.

No one was injured in the barn fire, which was also contained nearly 200 tonnes of grain.

It’s not yet known whether the show’s production is in jeopardy.

A spokesperson for the hit series said: “Top Gear does use the Hill End Farm as a storage facility, but at this stage we have no information as to what, if anything was destroyed.”

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to contact them as soon as possible.

PC Leigh Topol, investigating, said: ”Despite the best efforts of firefighters, the fire caused a massive amount of damage to the barn.

“If you saw anyone behaving suspiciously around the time or have any information which could help us with our investigation please contact us immediately.

“We are particularly keen to trace a man who was seen walking his dog in the area at around the time the fire was reported.”

Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular shows.

Fronted by the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, the show has brought motoring to the masses - but over the past 18 months, it has been shrouded with controversy and unfortunate setbacks.

In September 2006, Richard Hammond miraculously survived a 288mph horror smash causing the show to be postponed.

And anti-speed campaigners and environmentalists have repeatedly called for the BBC 2 series to be banned.

Jeremy Clarkson recently received a slap on the wrists from TV watchdogs for using the derogatory term ‘ginger beer’ to describe a car.

But it didn’t stop the most recent series being the most popular yet, receiving more than eight million viewers.

The new series is expected to return in the Autumn.

Anyone with information should call PC Topol on 01707 638234

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