This video shows the dramatic moment two Iceland delivery vans were ravaged during a blaze, believed to have been started by teenage arsonists.
The youths then threw 'missiles' at police during a spree of crimes only one hour after Boris Johnson demanded everyone stay at home.
Footage of the blaze, taken by a passerby on her mobile phone, shows thick black smoke billowing out of the two vehicles, which were set alight at around 9.30pm, on Monday, in the Southmead area.
The witness, who wished not to be named, described hearing explosions, seeing lots of speeding cars and an 'eerie atmosphere' before she spotted the flames.
She said: "I was in Southmead last night when some people set a car on fire, rolled it down a hill and it went into a van.
"This caused an explosion and a huge fire.
"I am not sure whether or not people were in either car or van, we saw a fire engine arrive and a lot of police cars but did not stay long enough to see an ambulance.
"We wanted to get out of there ASAP as there beforehand there was a lot of speeding cars and people shouting in the street.
"It was a very eerie atmosphere."
Following Monday's night of crimes, police patrols are now being stepped up in Southmead and Horfield.
The food chain's CEO, Richard Walker, said the arson attack was 'sickening' when their services are providing a 'lifeline' for people.
He tweeted: "Two of our vans in Southmead were burnt out last night during disturbances in the town. At a time when home delivery is literally a lifeline for some vulnerable people, this is sickening."
In a statement, Iceland said: “Police riot vans were called out and youths threw missiles at the police as they tried to disperse them.
“Later in the evening the two home delivery vans parked outside our Southmead store were set alight and the fire brigade attended to put out the fire.
“The vans will both have to be written off."
What the police have said
Avon and Somerset Police have also issued a statement on the incidents on Monday, March 23.
The force is carrying out targeted patrols in Henbury and Southmead today after overnight incidents including arson and criminal damage.
In a statement, the force said police officers and fire crews dealt with incidents including:
- Someone having a brick through their window in Tranmere Avenue
- Cars being smashed up in Ullswater Road and Strathearn Drive
- A car set on fire in Charlton Lane so close to a house that the family had to evacuate to the back garden until it was made safe
- Two Iceland delivery vans destroyed by fire in Arnside Road.
Patrolling officers came across the Iceland van fire while officers were flagged down by a member of the public over the car damage in Strathearn Drive.
