Estate agent counts cost after huge fire

The co-owner of one of Wolverhampton's best known estate agents is counting the cost today after two cars were set alight in what police believe is an arson attack on his garage. Nick Berriman, of Berriman Eaton estate agents in Tettenhall, was woken at around 2am today at home in Dean Street, Brewood, while his two-car garage was ablaze.nextpage

A silver BMW and silver Range Rover were burnt out while the garage has been turned into a smouldering wreck. Mr Berriman, aged 35, who lives at the house with wife Emma and two-year-old daughter Maisie, said: "I was woken up in the early hours of the morning and remember thinking maybe there were fireworks going off outside or something."nextpage

Mr Berriman said: "I heard a lot of loud noises, and when I went to investigate realised the garage was on fire. By the time I got up police and fire engines were already here, thankfully. It looked like carnage. I'm numb with shock - the fire crew did a good job. There were two cars in the garage, it's quite a lot of money. I'm just glad it wasn't the house and that no-one was hurt - it could have been worse. So for that I am thankful."nextpage

The blaze, which was attended by three fire engines, attracted onlookers from the village. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue say police have launched an investigation into the fire, and that it is believed to have been started deliberately. Berriman Eaton has branches in Tettenhall, Bridgnorth, Shifnal and Wombourne and is one of the best known estate agents in the Black Country.