Arsonists wreak havoc in Leigh

Numerous blazes took place on Sunday, May 7 and Monday, May 8 involving a number of bins, sofas, and the front-door of a shop.

As a result of the recent fires Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to keep wheelie bins and other items, which could be set on fire, at a safe distance from homes.

Firefighters were called out at 10.15pm on Monday to Youd Street, where a wheelie bin had been set alight.

Crew members tackled the fire involving the bin, which was pushed against an end terraced property. The fire also caused an external gas pipe to rupture and resulted in firefighters being at the address for more than 90 minutes.

Earlier that evening, at 8.23pm, crew members were called to reports of a fire in Union Street. Sofas had been torched on a car park near to a substation, and firefighters tackled the blaze using hoses.

On Sunday there was a further five incidents in and around the area.

Watch Manager Kane Partington said: “On Sunday night we were called out at 8.55pm to a wheelie bin set alight in an alley behind houses in Fairhurst Street, then at 9pm to Milton Street, where two wheelie bins had been set alight in an alley behind a row of terraced properties.

“These incidents followed a number in the early hours, when at 1.03am three engines were called to a business in Bradshawgate. The front door of the two-storey building had been set on fire and we put it out using a hose reel. Soon before this incident there had also been two separate bin fires, in Bradshawgate and Union Street.”

Station Manager Ady Taylor said: “Deliberate fires such as these see our resources being engaged, when they could otherwise be needed at more serious incidents elsewhere.

“If you have any information on deliberate fires please call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”