Car and shed go up in flames within an hour of each other on the same Wigan street

Police are investigating possible arson attacks on the vehicle and outbuilding on Scot Lane, Newtown, late on the night of Wednesday October 26.

A crew from neighbouring Wigan fire station was first called out to a blazing Vauxhall saloon in the alleyway behind the houses.

One hose reel was used to extinguish the flames but the damage was already done to the vehicle which firefighters say looked like it had been abandoned.

Exactly an hour later two crews attended the rear of a house just across the street from the first incident, and this time a timber shed was found ablaze.

More resources were used this time because there was a danger of the flames spreading to the nearby home.

The firefighters, who were at the scene for a further 30 minutes, prevented that from happening.

But the shed itself – plus its contents which were mostly unidentifiable – was obliterated.

Wigan watch manager Paul Gibbons said: “That the two incidents were so close together in terms of time and distance looked suspicious in itself and so we notified the police.

"Today (October 27) crews will be returning to Scot Lane to reassure residents and to carry out home fire safety assessments which can include the checking and installation of working smoke alarms.”

Anyone who has details about the car or shed fires is asked to ring police on 101 or the freephone Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555111.