A family have been left ‘devastated’ after their fledgling business was destroyed by fire in a suspected arson attack.
Lexies Snack Bar , near The Dylan Thomas pub and Swansea Enterprise Park in Llansamlet , was gutted by the flames.
CCTV footage from a nearby business shows two people moving at the rear of the van before it is quickly engulfed by fire.
Owner of the van, Cory Lewis, 27, said: “I went downstairs at 1.30am (last Wednesday) for a drink and my phone was going berzerk.
“Loads of friends and family were ringing and messaging.
“It’s our livelihood, it’s devastating really.”
By the time Mr Lewis, who lives in Neath with his wife, Katherine, and their three children, arrived in Llansamlet, the van had been completely destroyed by fire.
They bought the business 12 months ago from a family friend who had run it for over a decade.
“My gran left us inheritance about three years ago and my wife always wanted a food place or burger van so I went ahead and bought it,” Mr Lewis said.
The family are now borrowing money to buy another van and, luckily, the damage is covered by their insurance.
Mr Lewis expects to be back in business within a week.
Until they are up and running again, Mr Lewis has had to return to his old job of driving heavy machinery on building sites because “the bills don’t pay themselves.”
It isn’t the only burger van that has gone up in flames in Swansea over the last week.
Angie's Snack Shack was also burnt to the ground in a fire on Saturday morning, although it is thought to have been accidental.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it attended the fire, which happened at around midnight on Tuesday, July 23. and removed propane cylinders from the van.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “Police in Swansea are investigating the cause of a fire which destroyed a burger van which was parked near The Dylan Thomas on Swansea Enterprise Park.
“Police were called shortly before midnight on Tuesday, 23 July. Officers are appealing to anyone who may have any information concerning this incident to call South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote reference 1900269871.”
