Milkman Brian Cripps told how his float shook following the explosion of an Oxfordshire launderette which was gutted in an arson attack.

Earlier Oxford Crown Court heard that the fire was set at the All Season's Launderette in Westlands Drive, Northway, Oxford. Peter Scurr, 51, formerly of Harold White Close, Risinghurst, Oxford, is accused of getting an associate to torch the launderette, which he ran, in an alleged £20,000 insurance fiddle. He denies arson.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Cripps said: "There was a massive explosion behind me which caused the milk float to rock. "I was only about 30 or 40 yards from the explosion and was lucky I was not injured or even killed. I saw black smoke and there was debris all over the road."

He said he continued doing his round but on his return the same way there was still smoke billowing from the launderette.

An 11-year-old boy who was walking his dog on the green opposite the launderette did not even turn round to see what the explosion was.

"I just ran," he said.

Washing machine service engineer Andrew Windsor, who inspected the machines after the explosion, said they were generally in a poor condition. He said they were at least 20 years old and the normal life of an industrial machine was ten years. The court had heard that the main force of the blast went forwards through the front of the shop. Another pressure wave caused a blast at the back which blew a hole in the back wall.

Investigators called to the scene found petrol had been put in the powder compartments of washing machines and under dryers.

The case continues.

Story date: Wednesday 27 January

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