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Owner devastated after food truck set on fire

Danny Fullbrook
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Dutchie's Jerk Joint The front of a blue van is charred black and damaged with missing paint and smashed glass.Dutchie's Jerk Joint

A food truck destroyed in an arson attack was a labour of love that had taken its owner months to restore.

Emergency services responded to reports that Dutchie's Jerk Joint was on fire in Queens Square, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, at about 00:45 BST on 23 April.

The local community has raised about £5,000 to fund a replacement and support the family who ran the business.

Comorah Briscoe said: "We bought that truck as a major fixer-upper. It took me six months of hands and knees work with help from all my friends and family just to get it into condition."

Dutchie's Jerk Joint A blue food van with open shutters is parked on a clear blue dayDutchie's Jerk Joint
It took six months to get the van into a condition where it could be used to sell food

Hertfordshire Police has asked anybody who was in the area or has CCTV footage from that night to contact them.

The van had been off the road since August but bookings had been made from next month, including weddings, birthdays and the Notting Hill Carnival.

Dutchie's Jerk Joint The inside of a van which is melted and charred. The windscreen is smashed.Dutchie's Jerk Joint
The arson attack happened during the early hours of 23 April

Mr Briscoe said he was reluctant to ask for help to fund a replacement.

"I didn't think I'd get anything. I didn't even want to do it because I think it's embarrassing asking," he said.

"The reaction has been overwhelming with how many people want us to be back on the road."

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