Police and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service are investigating a further arson attack to a flat on Low White Close in Barrow-in-Furness.
At 11.40pm on Friday 21st September, fire crews attended a report of smoke billowing from a first floor flat in one of the communal blocks at this location. On arrival the flat was found to be unoccupied and entry appeared to have been gained via an insecure metal shutter over the front door. Three small seats of fire were extinguished inside the flat. Damage within was minimal and fortunately none of the occupants of neighbouring flats were injured or badly affected.
A Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels, two thermal imaging cameras and a positive pressure ventilation unit to extinguish the fire.
“Crews were detained at this incident for approximately one hour and twenty minutes.”
A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: “A joint investigation is continuing into this arson series all of which have been reported late evening. The first on 3rd September, a second on the 5th and a further incident on the 13th.
“Following the latest incident, a 24-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and is currently in custody at Barrow Police Station.”
Detective Sergeant Mike Wallace, from South Cumbria Crime & Safeguarding Team, said: “I can confirm enquiries, which are being supported by the fire service, are ongoing to bring offenders to justice and prevent further risk to the public.
“There is an increased visible emergency service presence in the locality raising awareness and ready to respond. Community teams are visiting and working with local residents and the housing department are looking into additional security.
“The fire service are also planning to visit householders to identify those who don’t have the added security of a fire detector.
“As far as the criminal investigation is concerned there has been positive action in the two previous arrests with both suspects being released under investigation and a further arrest today. I would appeal for anyone with relevant information on the suspect or the motivation behind these attacks to contact us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to email [email protected] or call 101. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
