‘Like a bomb had gone off’: suspected arson attack fuels Glastonbury unease

A suspected arson attack involving an explosion and caravan fires occurred near Glastonbury on June 20, 2026, leading to arrests and heightening unease among residents living in vehicles. Jan Johnston, who resides in a van, described hearing a "massive boom" followed by thick, black smoke, comparing the event to a bomb detonation. The incident targeted one of the numerous caravans, motorhomes, and converted vehicles parked in side roads and industrial areas surrounding the town. This event has amplified existing controversies regarding the growing number of individuals residing in vehicles in the Glastonbury area. The specific number of arrests and the identities of those arrested have not yet been disclosed by authorities. The incident has prompted increased scrutiny of the living conditions and safety of those inhabiting these vehicles, as well as the potential for such destructive events.