A £100,000 convertible Jaguar was destroyed in a "fireball" in what its owner believes was a deliberate act of vandalism.

Sir Jonathan Penn, 58, was working at his home in Herons Place, Old Isleworth, at about 1.30am on Monday morning when he said he heard a noise outside and rushed out to find his Jaguar XKRS on fire.

Mr Penn, who has not been knighted, said: "As I rushed out to look there was just this great big orange fireball."

He phoned the emergency services and a fire crew from Heston was able to get the blaze under control in fewer than 20 minutes.

Mr Penn said: "The front of the car is completely disintegrated."

Since the fire was extinguished, Mr Penn said he has found chunks of wood soaked in petrol under the remains of the vehicle.

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Fireball: Mr Penn believes his car was vandalised

He said: "I believe it was a vindictive act.

"Whether it was a warning or jealousy or what, we don’t know.

"We have all got enemies, but if you upset someone they normally won’t come round and firebomb you."

Mr Penn said insurance company RAC will be taking the car away on Friday to inspect the damage.

He said: "It is a complete wreck.

"My people are actively trying to find the perpetrators, as I hope are the police."

A spokesman from the Metropolitan Police said: "We were called to reports of a car fire at Herons Place.

"The incident is alleged to have happened between 12.30am and 1.30am.

"A Jaguar had been seriously damaged and inquiries continue."

When asked about his name Mr Penn told the Richmond and Twickenham Times it was the name that appears on his passport, driving licence and all forms of identification.

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