Arson attack ' could have led to death' at Lymm newsagent's (From Warrington Guardian)

Arson attack ' could have led to death' at Lymm newsagent's

A NEWSAGENT'S in Lymm is to fit external CCTV cameras after a string of attacks by vandals.

Early on Saturday morning, a pile of freshly delivered newspapers was set alight - the final straw for manager Ken Deakin.

He said: "It was a near miss because people were asleep in the flat upstairs. The fire burned the telephone wires and guttering. If it had got in the roof space, I don't think they would have stood a chance.

"It was a very dangerous thing to do and we're going to fit cameras on the top of the shop to try and put a stop to it."

He says vandal attacks have been getting more frequent in the area. Twice in the past three months people have smashed into the shop and stolen cigarettes, leading to roller shutters on the door and bars on the window.

Mr Deakin said: "It's silly season now the schools have finished but things have been getting worse for about 18 months. I've lived in Lymm all my life and worked in this shop for eight years. Youths didn't use to cause so many problems."

On Sunday night, only 24 hours after the arson attack, signs were stolen from outside the shop front.