After a deliberate arson attack on Emmerdale Farm, Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) suspected she was being targeted.
But it’s not her the Firestarter is after.
Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) acquired the farm after Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) blackmailed him into framing Moira for human trafficking and then swooped in and bought the place when Moira’s chips were down. Robert was then handed the farm to run, but someone is not happy about it.
At first, the thinking was the arsonist felt Moira was guilty of her crimes, but when a second barn goes up and Moira’s nowhere around, it’s clear it’s Robert, or maybe even Joe, they want.
Robert and Aaron (Danny Miller) find this new fire right near the feed store and it’s getting a bit unsettling. Had it not been caught in time, that fire would have done huge damage. It enrages Robert and Aaron, who vow to find whoever it is and make them pay.
And so the speculation begins, who is behind it?
At first all eyes were on Joe, but that theory doesn’t fit anymore.
As a nonplussed Aaron mulls over who could be behind it, Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) turns up to work looking tired and dishevelled. On his last nerve, Aaron lets him have it and argues that he’s not pulling his weight. Could Kammy have an axe to grind?
Elsewhere, Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and Sam Dingle (James Hooton) secretly scope out a barn. Ross suggests they need a cover story, and he hands Sam a lighter to do the honours. Surely, they’re not behind the barn burn?!
Aaron and Robert arrive just as Sam makes a quick getaway, leaving Ross to get discovered. He’s immediately questioned, but he covers himself saying he was looking for the arsonist himself.
Somehow, he’s believed, and Ross pushes his cover story far enough to suggest that Robert pay him to keep investigating. Novel and bold.
Who is the firestarter?
But either he’s dodgy or he’s just not very good, as it’s not long before there’s another fire. It confirms that they have a serial arsonist on their hands and Ross floats an idea that sends chills up Robert’s spine – maybe it’s Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill), his ex-husband back for revenge.
But Aaron is convinced there is someone they’ve overlooked – What about Kammy? No one really knows him.
So that list of suspects has just grown, and Robert and Aaron have a new suspicion when they follow Ross and Sam into a barn. Which one of them is it, and why?
