POLICE are appealing for information after suspected arsonists forced their way into Parrys Motor Parts in Latchford on Thursday night.

Officers were called to the scene at 11.15pm after a large fire broke out at the site.

Firefighters from as far away as Ellesmere Port rushed to Common Lane following reports of the blaze close to Warrington Town Football Club.

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported hearing explosions, thought to be from paints and thinners at the site.

An investigation has been launched and DC Richard Kennedy said: “Entry was forced into the premises and we believe the fire was started maliciously.

"Arson is a serious crime which can have devastating impact on victims. Fortunately no-one was injured as a result of the fire.

“We are currently following up a number of lines of enquiry and I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously.

"If anyone believes that they have any information that could assist with our enquiries please come forward.”

A fire service spokesman said: "When they arrived crews were confronted with a blaze involving some cabins that were believed to contain pumps.

Warrington Guardian:

"Extra fire engines were called to the scene to ensure the fire could be dealt with safely." 

People living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area.

And eight water pumps were used at the scene to tackle the blaze. 

Station Road was closed both ways between Grammar School Road and Knutsford Road while investigations took place but the roads around Wash Lane and Station Road were reopened at around 8.30am.

A fire service spokesman says the blaze is now fully under control.

Heat spots remain in portacabins at the back of the paint shop and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, with crime scene investigators due to arrive on the scene today.

A demolition crew is on the scene working with firefighters and the owner to organise the removal of materials from the building.

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Lynsey McVay, service delivery manager for Warrington said: “Firefighters battled to extinguish this fire and worked extremely hard preventing it from spreading.

"Due to the size of the blaze crews set up a relay system to enable them to get sufficient water to the site from nearby sources.

“It is suspected that this fire was started deliberately, so we are working closely with our colleagues at Cheshire Police to establish the cause of the fire and would urge anyone with any information to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call DC Richard Kennedy on 101 quoting incident number 1098 of February 2 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.