Huge fire engulfs field near school
SHOCKED residents evacuated their homes after arsonists torched a Runcorn school field filling the street with thick smoke.
Six fire engines were called to Camrose Close at 5.13pm on Monday and set about fighting the flames which had engulfed a patch of grass measuring around 30m by 40m, but which soon spread to fill 50m by 50m.
Householders reported not being able to see their hands in front of their face due to smoke.
The fire happened at St Chad’s Catholic And Church Of England High School field but spread to a back fence, shed and conservatory on a nearby house.
Graham Jenkins, 64, a taxi driver who lives next door to the house affected, thought his neighbours were having a barbecue at first when his smoke alarm went off, but discovered to his horror when he opened the front door that he could not see the front hedge due to thick smoke.
He ran next door to bang on the door, only to hear a voice from within the smoke saying ‘ we’re down here’ – which turned out to be his neighbours who had already evacuated their house, running back in to bring out their pet rabbit.
The incident also fractured a gas main, meaning the supply had to be made safe via a large hole dug in the ground.
Two fire engines from Runcorn attended plus one each from Widnes, Lymm, Penketh and Ellesmere Port.
Graham Jenkins, 64, said between around five homes or more were evacuated.
He said: “We were in, we couldn’t see much at all.
“What happened was I was just sitting here and suddenly the smoke alarm went off so I had a look out
● the back and I could see smoke drifting across from next door’s.
“I said to my wife, they’re having a barbecue joking like, and the next thing the whole flaming house started filling up.
“I opened the door, I couldn’t see that bush through the smoke.
“I made my way across the street banging on the door and heard a voice ‘we’re down here’. “It was awful.” He added: “It was a bit scary, I can tell you.
“I was thinking, the grass went up at the back and set the fir tree alight and that’s where all the smoke was coming from.”
Vernon Rigby, 85, said: “I was talking to one of the firemen when they put everything out and I said ‘what happened?’, I said ‘who’s done it?’ and he said ‘three kids done it’
“They set fire to the field and for weeks it’s been dead dry and all the field was burned out.
“That’s what the fireman told me.”
A Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service spokesman said: “Three crews attended the property and discovered a fire involving a shed and conservatory at the rear of the address.
“Four firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, used one hose reel jet and one main jet to extinguish the fire.
“Utility services were also called to the property to isolate the gas and electricity supplies.
“After extinguishing both the house fire and the grass fire crews used thermal imaging cameras to check for any hotspots.
“Firefighters were in attendance at the scene for approximately five hours. There were no reports of any injuries.
“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate and anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire police on 101, quoting IML 457141.”
Information can also be reported online at publiccontact@ cheshire. pnn. police.uk ●