A FORMER warehouse that went up in flames last week had been targeted by arsonists in the weeks running up to the incident, fire chiefs have confirmed.

The former Launa Windows property in Bradley Lane, Newton Abbot, was badly damaged in last Wednesday's attack with residents having to be evacuated amid concerns about asbestos.

Allotment holders were also hit, being prevented from getting cars to their plots for almost a week because the road next to the cordoned-off building had to be closed.

The site, owned by Teignbridge Council, has been earmarked for redevelopment but residents are concerned that unless the project starts soon it could become a ticking time bomb.

One who asked not to be named said: 'The council has talked for years about doing something here but parts of it are just getting rougher.

'I'm concerned that unless something positive happens soon we'll get more anti-social behaviour and situations like this.

Teignbridge leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers was unable to give a precise timetable but said he could envisage 'shovels in the ground' within two years.