ARSONISTS caused an estimated �2million worth of damage after setting an industrial landfill site ablaze. Six fire engines were called to Brett s Aggregates sand and gravel wholesalers at Marks Warren Farm, Whalebone Lane North, Dagenham, on Saturday nig

ARSONISTS caused an estimated �2million worth of damage after setting an industrial landfill site ablaze.

Six fire engines were called to Brett's Aggregates sand and gravel wholesalers' at Marks Warren Farm, Whalebone Lane North, Dagenham, on Saturday night (February 21) at 6.15pm.

Thirty fire fighters from Dagenham, Romford and the surrounding areas struggled for four hours to tackle the blaze.

The fire was under control at 10.18pm but three lorries, a trailer, a digger and other pieces of equipment were badly damaged.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said the fire was well contained in the area of the site.

No-one was said to be injured.

The open-air site is run by sand and gravel wholesalers Brett's Aggregates, who rented out the affected section of the site to a bagging company called GRS Bagging Ltd.

Matt Johanson, General Manager for Brett's Aggregates, said: "There has been a lot of damage.

"Two young males managed to break into the site and set fire to a wheelie bin."

He said the fire had caught on to a gas oil tank which split and caused gas oil to flow out and underneath the premises.

He said: "Five arctic trailer units were damaged

"The shed was completely burned down, an automated robotic unit has been completely destroyed and a tractor unit was damaged."

The Barking Aggregates site was not affected but the GRS Bagging section will have to be closed for weeks, if not months, Mr Johanson said.

GRS Bagging and Brett's Aggregates employ about 10 people on the site, who will be affected by the closure.

Brett's Aggregates are hoping to resume normal business within days.

A police spokesperson said: "Three 14 year old boys from the Dagenham area were arrested during last weekend following an arson incident on the evening of Saturday 21st February 2009."

A number of spectators are said to have filmed the incident but police are asking anyone with information to contact DC Nathan Lee on 0208 217 5532 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

DC Lee said: "This incident has affected not only the owners of the quarry, but also those employed there. Thankfully the premises were empty and nobody was harmed."

DUE TO A TECHNICAL FAULT THIS STORY DID NOT APPEAR ON PAGE 8 OF THIS WEEK'S POST