FIRE engines from Yelverton, Crownhill and Tavistock were deployed to a report of a fire at a petrol station in Yelverton.

On arrival at the Texaco garage, in the early hours of Monday morning (September 7), crews confirmed that the fire involved a cash machine at the front of the store.

The cause of the fire was deliberate and was believed to be the result of an attempted robbery.

Nigel Hosking, owner of Texaco Yelverton, said: ‘The police were here when I turned up.

‘There is smoke damage throughout, we managed to get the Post Office open, the only thing still closed is the petrol station because we need the electricians to rewire it.

‘The shop front is completely kaput, there is not a pane of glass intact. When I got here there were still two acetylene cylinders — the welding gas that they would have used to blow up the machine — lying on the forecourt.’

According to reports, this robbery tactic was first used in mainland Europe and migrated to the UK in the last year.

The police have said that this is the first instance in which this approach has been used in the area.

Nigel also questioned the decision to target the Texaco garage, given the petrol station is attached, particularly when there is a Co-operative cash machine nearby.

He added: ‘I’ve been running the garage for 40 years, this is not the first time that something like this has happened. I just think at least no one was physically hurt.

‘Obviously it’s upsetting because you don’t think that things like this happen in Yelverton.’

The crews used two breathing apparatus wearers, a hose reel jet and small tools to extinguish the fire.

A positive pressure ventilation fan was used.

A police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called on Monday, September 7, at 3.52am after reports of a break-in at the garage in Yelverton.

‘Police believe that three suspects were using gas cylinders to try and break into the cash machine when it exploded and caught fire.

‘Fire crews attended the scene to put the fire out. Enquiries are continuing.’

Nearby residents were said to have heard three explosions in the early hours of Monday.

Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Yelverton area before or after the incident is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting police log 63 07/09/15.

The petrol station was back up and running on Wednesday morning as the Times went to press.