Series of arson attacks blight region

FIREFIGHTERS have been in action tackling deliberate blazes around Runcorn and Widnes.

Shortly before noon on Tuesday, August 17, one appliance was called to a coffee shop on Crosville Way in Runcorn where an industrial bin had been ignited.

The crew doused the flames with a hose jet and was at the scene for around 20 minutes.

It is believed to have been caused deliberately.

At 11.30pm the previous night, firefighters were called to a motorbike ablaze on Liverpool Road in Widnes.

The crew extinguished the fire using water and left the scene about 20 minutes after arriving.

Then at 6.30pm, one fire engine was deployed to Lanark Gardens in Widnes, where a wheelie bin was “well alight” in woods.

A water backpack was used to douse the flames.

The wheelie bin on fire happened eight days after a similar incident in the same place also involving a wheelie bin and that was identified as arson.

Although Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has not stated the wheelie bin fire on August 18 was arson, no other explanation has been provided.

Residents have been urged to contact the police with information regarding the industrial container fire in Runcorn by calling Cheshire Constabulary on 101, and for the motorbike to call 101, quoting IML1062993.

Although no reference number was provided for the most recent Lanark Gardens blaze, anyone with information relating to the August 10 fire should call Cheshire police on 101, quoting IML1058336.