SLEEPING CHILDREN SAVED FROM ‘ARSON’ HORROR
ARRESTS AFTER BLAZE THAT HIT THREE HOMES
TWO young families have been moved into temporary accommodation following a devastating 4am arson attack while they slept.
A firebug torched the rear of an endterrace property on Devon Road in Partington during the early hours of Saturday.
The family, a mother and at least three young children, were woken as the fire quickly spread to the loft but they managed to escape.
Fire also spread to two neighbouring properties, one of which housed another young family which also escaped the blaze.
Some of those affected were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.
Yesterday both properties remained boarded up – it is believed the families concerned have now been placed into temporary accommodation.
A police investigation has started and two men, 49 and 47, have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
They remained in custody for questioning.
One resident in the cul-de-sac, who declined to be named, said: “It’s shocking. Another ten minutes and the whole street could have gone up.”
She revealed how the alarm was raised by a resident who lives opposite the homes.
He was said to have gone into the burning buildings with his teenage son to help escort the inhabitants to safety.
Another resident described how the ‘heroic’ pair rescued a toddler who was under a quilt in a smoke-filled bedroom.
Four fire engines were scrambled to the scene just before 3.40am on Saturday and firefighters wearing breathing gear went into the homes to tackle the fire with hose-reels.
The fire affected three neighbouring properties, two of which remain boarded up. The families who live there have moved out.
Det Sgt John Seaton, of GMP’s Trafford division, said: “Although we have made two arrests, our investigation is still ongoing and I would like to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this attack or have any information surrounding this fire to please contact police as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7527, quoting incident number 453 of 12/12/2020 – or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.