GLASTONBURY — A suspected arson attack targeted a caravan near side roads and industrial estates in Glastonbury on a Saturday night. Jan Johnston, who was inside her van at the time, heard an explosion. The fire subsequently spread to three additional nearby caravans, causing structural damage. No individuals were inside the caravans that were destroyed by the fire. Johnston said, "I heard this massive boom." She added, "I came out and there was thick, black, billowing smoke."

Fire crews from Glastonbury, Wells, and Street responded to the incident. Avon and Somerset police arrested a man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s on suspicion of arson, arson with intent to endanger life, and assault of an emergency worker. Both individuals were later released on conditional police bail as the investigation continues. The motive for the suspected arson attack remains unknown.

John, a caravan resident, said, "It feels like a hate crime." He added, "If the wind had been blowing the other way, more vans could have gone up and people could have been killed." The incident occurred during increasing scrutiny of housing pressures affecting vehicle dwellers in Glastonbury. Conservative councillor Susannah Hart called for the Somerset council to declare a state of emergency regarding the housing situation, noting that approximately 13,000 households in Somerset are on a social housing waiting list.

Counts showed an increase in roadside vehicles in Glastonbury, with 131 vehicles in February and 157 by the end of May. Glastonbury received £23.6 million in funding for regeneration projects, which includes a program to assist roadside dwellers. Construction of a regulated site for vehicle dwellers near the fire location was halted due to flooding. A second site with fewer than 20 parking spots has been identified, and planning permission is being processed. The council is collaborating with Bristol city council to utilize temporary sites on land slated for development to accommodate vehicle dwellers.