Boy aged 13 arrested over shop blazes
WILKO AND POUNDLAND
A BOY of 13 has been arrested on suspicion of arson following fires outside Poundland and Wilko stores.
Emergency services were called to Greenside Lane, Droylsden, just after 9am yesterday.
It is understood items outside Poundland went up in flames before more goods were seen ablaze outside the Wilko shop next door.
Images showed piles of charred goods outside the units in the aftermath of the incident.
Wilko was evacuated and had to shut while police and the fire service launched joint investigation.
Police later arrested a teenage boy on suspicion of arson. He remained in custody for questioning.
A GMP spokesman said: “Shortly after 9.10am on Monday 1 October 2018, police were called to reports of a fire at a shopping centre on Greenside Lane in Droylsden. “The fire service attended and the fire has since been extinguished. “No one was injured during the incident, which is being treated as arson. “A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson. He remains in custody for questioning. Inquiries are ongoing.” A shop worker, who asked not to be named, said: “It must have been quite traumatic for those working inside at the time.” Another said: “We were working on the tills when the fire started. All the stuff outside had gone up in flames. That’s all I saw. Something else had been set on fire outside Poundland too.” A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “Police were informed for suspected deliberate ignition. We sent two fire engines from Manchester Central and Philips Park.” Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 463 of October 1. Reports can also be made via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Shop worker