Man arrested after seven fires in just two hours

A MAN has been arrested after firefighters were pulled from one incident to another with seven suspected arson attacks in less than three hours, across a small area of Loughborough.

The first incident took place around 7.50pm on Monday night (December 4) in the carriageway of Belton Road, where a fire was discovered in the middle of the road near car garages and a petrol station.

The second incident was reported at 8.16pm, and appliances from four stations attended Russell Street, Loughborough to put out a fire in the bin compound of a property - This resulted in damage being caused to flats and one person being taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The third emergency call was three minutes later to a bin fire in Mill Lane, Loughborough, then two minutes later at 8.21pm firefighters were called to Bridgeland Road for the same reason, and just as the crew were leaving the scene they came across a sofa alight in Queens Road at around 8.50pm.

The sixth incident was a hedge fire on the canal bank near Empress Road and the final incident saw another wheelie bin fire - in a jitty between Morris Close and Little Moore Lane.

Yesterday Tuesday morning (December 5) a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

At the time of the Echo going to press the man remained in police custody.

PC Pete Colgate said: “We believe these fires were deliberate and very dangerous acts and could have resulted in someone being seriously injured.

“We are taking these reports extremely seriously and officers have been out and about in the local area reassuring local residents.

“Despite the arrest we would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents.

“Anyone with information call 101 quoting crime reference number 17*528595.”