Police call for information after arsonists target Orford flat (From Warrington Guardian)

Arsonists set fire to flat on Newhaven Road, Orford

11:45am Friday 31st August 2012 in News

POLICE are appealing for information after arsonists are thought to have set a flat alight in Orford.

Fire crews were called to the blaze last Wednesday at 10.50pm to Newhaven Road after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm going off.

They could see smoke coming from a ground floor flat and thought the owners were trapped inside.

But firefighters found nobody was in the property at the time and managed to get the flames under control.

DC Carl Davis, who is investigating the fire, said: "Fortunately no-one was injured as a result of the incident but the consequences could have potentially been far worse had the fire not been put out so quickly.

"We are appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch.

“We are also appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and has seen anyone acting suspiciously to come forward.

"Officers are currently following up a number of lines of enquiry including house-to-house enquiries, CCTV enquiries and any relevant forensic enquiries.”

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1161 of 29 August or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.