Man in court over fuel tanker bungalow crash (From Wiltshire Times)

Man in court over fuel tanker bungalow crash

9:40am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Chippenham

A man will appear in court today charged with a string of offences after a woman had a lucky escape when a Wiltshire-owned fuel tanker crashed into the front of her bungalow, police said.

The 51-year-old man is charged with arson with intent to endanger life; arson reckless as to whether life was endangered; assault by beating; dangerous driving; theft; and breach of bail.

The man, who police are not naming, was arrested on Friday following the incident in Wool, Dorset.

Police had launched a manhunt for the driver of the tanker, owned by Brinkworth-based Watson Fuels, after he fled the scene of the crash and subsequent fire.

The woman, named locally as Christine Billington, was "safe and well" but the bungalow suffered "significant" damage in the blaze, police said.

Ms Billington, thought to be in her 50s, is believed to run a dog-grooming business, Paw Prints, which is registered at the address in Folly Lane, Wool.

Around 30 firefighters tackled the blaze, which was brought under control in about an hour.

Pictures released by the fire service show the tanker crashed into the front of the bungalow, having smashed through the front wall and a set of windows.

The front door of the bungalow has been removed and the blaze can be seen to have ripped through the house out towards the back garden.

A large red Watson Fuels tanker was backed away from the home, leaving tyre tracks across the front garden.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said on Saturday: "This evening Dorset Police charged a 51-year-old local man with arson with intent to endanger life, arson reckless as to whether life was endangered, assault by beating, dangerous driving, theft and breach of bail.