Police say spate of car blazes could be linked (From Leigh Journal)

Police say spate of car blazes could be linked

10:10am Saturday 17th January 2009 in Cars By Cherry Thomas

A SPATE of car fires in Kearsley is being investigated by the police and fire service.

The emergency services say more than a dozen cars have been set on fire recently and fear the same person could be behind the attacks.

John Duffin, crew commander at Farnworth fire station, said: “The fire service and the police are conducting an investigation into a number of fires in the area.

“There seems to be a spate of car fires, with around 13 to 15 in the last few months.

“We would ask car owners to be vigilant and make sure their vehicles are locked and secure before leaving them.

“Maybe someone is deliberately starting all these car fires? If so, we would remind them that these kind of fires take us away from other incidents where we could be needed more urgently.”

In the latest incident, firefighters were called to Cemetery Road at 5.30am on Thursday.

A Ford Galaxy was well alight and the fire had been started deliberately. The vehicle was destroyed.

Insp Stuart Wrudd. of Farnworth police, said: “An investigation into this arson has been launched and police inquiries are ongoing.

“We are aware of a number of similar incidents in recent months and we are not ruling out the possibility that they are linked.

“We are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry, including working closely with the fire service.

“The community can therefore be reassured that we are doing all we can to track down those responsible and have increased patrols in the Farnworth area at night.”

Anyone who has seen people acting suspiciously around parked cars should call the police on 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.