Appeal after garage block arson attack
PICTURES taken have revealed the damage caused an arson attack on a row of garages in Runcorn. The incident was one of three blazes caused by firebugs in the space of a few hours in the town overnight on Tuesday, August 23, into Wednesday, August 24.
Karen Hay, Thorn Road resident, said the damage was ‘shocking’.
In its witness appeal, Cheshire Constabulary said four garages on Thorn Road suffered ‘significant’ damage.
The fire on Thorn Road was reported to Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service at 1.22am on Wednesday, August 24, with two appliances from Widnes and one from Runcorn responding to the incident.
Firefighters had been called moments earlier at 1.16am to Sycamore Road where sofas and rubbish had been ignited at the back of a block of commu- nal flats.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said the first incident of the evening had taken place at 11.20pm on Tuesday, August 23, near the shops on Halton Brook Avenue.
She said it was believed a group of five youths riding bicycles and wearing shorts, set fire to a wooden fence post on the roadway.
Two youths were thought to have had long hair.
Police said the incidents may have been linked.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: “Anyone who witnessed any of the incidents, or may know who is responsible, is asked to contact Cheshire police on 101 quoting either incident 1,116 of August 23 (Halton Brook Avenue), incident 70 of August 24 (Sycamore Road) or incident 72 of August 24 (Thorn Road).
“Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”