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Ice cream wars - 'Mr Cool' vans targeted in turf war arson attack

One of the damaged ice-cream fans (SWNS)
One of the damaged ice-cream fans (SWNS)

An ice cream man has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after arsonists callously torched two of his vans as part of a bitter turf war.

Tony Del Busso, 50, better known as Mr Cool, believes rival sellers have targeted his family-run business in an ongoing row over pitches in Hinkley, Leics.

He fears competitors set fire to both of his vans as part of an ice-cream war which has raging in the local area for a matter of months.

The vans on fire (SWNS)
The vans on fire (SWNS)

Tony says up to four ice cream men have been working on his patch but so far he has not experienced any aggression from rival traders.

But he is convinced they are behind a arson attack on his Mr Cool and Super Whippy vans outside his home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Tony and his wife Yvonne were awoken around midnight to find both of the vans engulfed in flames on their driveway on Linsmore Drive, Hinkley.

The fire spread to their house, destroying their garage, bedroom and part of the roof and causing around £70,000 worth of damage.

The couple have been running the business for around eight years, with each driving one of the vans around Hinckley and the surrounding area.

Mr Del Busso’s father ran the ice-cream business before him, setting up in the late 1970s, but the family say its the first time they have been deliberately targeted.

Tony Del Busso believes rival sellers have targeted his family-run business in a row over pitches (SWNS).
Tony Del Busso believes rival sellers have targeted his family-run business in a row over pitches (SWNS).

Mr Del Busso said: “Its a long running family run business and nothing like this has happened before.

"We suspect because of the fact they targeted two ice-cream vans, it was something to do with competitors stopping us from trading.

"There are numerous rivals, around three of four of them working on the same patch, but its never comes to aggression.”

The charred remains of the house and ice cream van of Tony Delbusso (SWNS)
The charred remains of the house and ice cream van of Tony Delbusso (SWNS)

Leicestershire Police have launched an investigation into the fire and urged witnesses to get in touch.

A force spokesperson said: "We're investigating after two vans were set on fire in Lismore Drive, Hinckley - and are asking for any witnesses to make contact.

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