ARSONISTS have torched a handful of homes in a major housing development causing at least �600,000 in damage.

The new homes went up in flames at Crest Nicholson’s Kings Warren scheme in Larks Reach in Red Lodge during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The blaze has caused major damage to a row of new homes currently under construction.

The houses affected were at the far end of the development, away from the new houses now occupied.

Police are now hunting those responsible.

Red Lodge councillor Pat McCloud, who lives nearby, said: “For those who live nearby it is disturbing to them, because once it has happened people ask themselves what if it happens closer to the homes that are occupied. It is mindless vandalism.”

A spokeswoman for Crest Nicholson said: “Crest Nicholson is working closely with the police and fire service to identify the cause of a fire which has damaged at least six of the affordable homes under construction at Red Lodge.”

A police spokeswoman said: “The damage is estimated at �600,000.

“Two groups of people were seen in the area prior to the fire and detectives want to speak to them as they may hold important information about this incident.

“Three white male youths aged around 14 years old were seen nearby. Also in the area were four men – one is described as an elderly man with white hair, the second a man in his 40s, the third a man in his 20s with short hair. There is no description of the fourth.”

A spokesman for Suffolk fire and rescue said five fire engines were sent out to the scene, including crews from Mildenhall, Ixworth, Bury St Edmunds, Soham and Newmarket.

He told how half of the wooden-framed homes were alight when they arrived and how crews donned specialist breathing kit to fight back the flames.

After more than an hour of fire fighters battling with the fire, half of the terrace collapsed.

Anybody with information should call Det Sgt Helen Sowerby on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

In a separate incident in Recreation Way, Mildenhall, at around 5.50pm on Saturday, a wooden ride at a children’s play area was damaged by fire. Four children - two boys and two girls - were seen running from the area towards the town centre. Anybody with information should call Pc Ian Bell at Mildenhall Police on 01284 774100.