THE Winsford community has been urged to pull together and stay on guard against arson before somebody is ‘killed’ due to the recent spate of arson attacks in the town.

The spate of arson fires in Winsford reached a new level last week when an arsonist started a large fire at a group of office buildings.

Six fire engines from across Cheshire where sent to the blaze at the group of several disused office buildings in Wharton Road, opposite Morrisons Manufacturing warehouse.

There has now been 36 deliberate fires in the town this year and 11 in the past two weeks.

It has now prompted the police and fire service to appeal to the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

Steve Barnes, service delivery manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “With incidents like these it is only a matter of time before someone sustains serious injury or, worse, is killed. We work very closely with the police and other partner agencies to tackle this ongoing issue of deliberate fires and this will continue, but we also need residents to be aware and help us where they can.

“The crime of arson is extremely dangerous. Fire spreads quickly so what may seem like a small fire can easily become out of control.

"Not only do these fires put the lives of firefighters at risk, they also cause considerable danger to the public because while fire engines are at scenes of arson they are not available to respond to real emergencies.

“I would encourage residents to always report any suspicious activity to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Other incidents in the town recently have included rubbish which was set alight in a number of locations including, Mount Pleasant Drive, The Drumber and Dene Drive and also a bin fire which was ignited in Greville Drive.

Firefighters were called to a settee on fire in dart Walk on Saturday and a fire in the open in Dee Way on Sunday.

Two more deliberate fires were started in Winsford last night. 

Despite the large spike in deliberate fires in the Wharton area this year and particularly over the past two weeks, police say they are not treating the incidents as connected.

Chief Inspector Simon Meegan said: “We have had a number of reports of small fires, mainly involving bins or discarded rubbish, predominantly in the Wharton area.

“At this time we are not treating the incidents as connected, but would appeal for anyone with information to contact us. Such anti-social behaviour can easily escalate and put lives at risk, and those responsible will be accountable for the consequences.”

Anyone with any information about these, or similar, incidents or who sees fires being deliberately set is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101. Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.