Homes Set On Fire In Stanley

16 February 2015, 06:14 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a spate of fires in Stanley.

A number of illegal fires were started between 3am and 5am on Saturday morning in the Poets Estate area of Stanley.

They seemed to be centred around wheelie bins near to homes and newspapers under car wheel arches being set alight.

An 84-year-old woman was taken to hospital suffering with smoke inhalation following one of the fires that happened in Joicey Gardens, Kneller Close, Reynolds Close and Byron Close.

Her condition is described as stable, and the 26-year-old man remains in police custody.

Superintendent Kerrin Smith said:
"Regular police patrols will continue in the area and updates for the community will be posted on our social media pages and delivered via our Neighbourhood Watch network.

We'd like to reiterate our appeal from yesterday that anyone with information that might help our investigation into the fires gets in touch, either by calling us on 101 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers who can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED 15th February 2015

People in a number of houses in Stanley are lucky to have escaped serious injury following a spate of arsons in the town in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A number of illegal fires were started between 3am and 5am on Saturday 14th February in the Poets Estate area of Stanley.

These seemed to be centred around wheelie bins near to homes and newspapers under car wheel arches being set alight.

The incidents occurred in Joicey Gardens, Kneller Close, Reynolds Close and Byron Close.

Police are keen to trace a man who was seen in the area at the time of the fires. He is described as around 5'6"- 5’9” in height, of slim build and wearing a dark jacket with a white band across the back.

An 84-year-old woman was taken to hospital suffering with smoke inhalation following one of the fires. Her condition is described as stable.

Superintendent Kerrin Smith said:
"Fortunately no-one was more seriously injured in these attacks, but it could have been much worse."

"We are confident we will find the culprit soon but are trying to track them down so we are asking local residents if they saw or heard anyone mooching around or any suspicious activity, for example things being moved in their garden etc…?"

"We cannot link the incidents overnight to the arson at Burnside School at this time but, equally, we are not ruling out any connection."

"We are also asking that people remain vigilant, both for themselves but also on behalf of their neighbours, and that they report any concerns to police immediately. Residents can contact our neighbourhood policing team on 101 if they have any questions or would like to speak to officers about these incidents."