Night patrols over arson attacks

POLICE are treating a spate of night-time shed fires as arson and are launching a crackdown.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has attended a run of at least four suspicious shed blazes in Goole.

They all happened between 11pm and midnight and three were in the same location.

Two of the confirmed suspicious incidents – in Marlborough Avenue in April and in Jefferson Street on June 12 – have been reported to Humberside Police.

So far, though, there has not been enough evidence to make arrests.

Sergeant Joanne Matthews, of Goole Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Although only two of these recent fires have been reported to us, it is not difficult to see that they may all be connected and we cannot rule out that they are being started deliberately.

"Although no one has been hurt in these incidents, fire can easily get out of control."

The culprits may be unaware of the potentially serious consequences.

Sgt Matthews said: "Sheds often contain highly flammable liquids such as paint, turpentine and petrol for lawn mowers and once a fire takes hold, the possibility of these igniting is extremely high."

The fire incidents are the most serious element of a growing problem Goole has with youths misbehaving at night.

Sgt Matthews said: "We are currently dealing with some antisocial behaviour issues in the area and are stepping up our patrols to try and ensure residents are able to live undisturbed in their homes.

"We are working closely with Humberside Fire and Rescue to tackle the issue and educate the community on fire safety and crime prevention."

Because of the frequency of the suspicious fires and the trend of them happening in the same places, the Neighbourhood Policing Team has increased foot patrols and Incident Response Teams are being extra vigilant.

The force is appealing for people to keep their sheds and outbuildings locked at all times and make sure access to gardens is also secured.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service says the most recent Goole incidents have included; a blaze at 11.26pm on June 20 in Third Avenue; a shed fire in Jefferson Street at 11.43pm on June 12; and two incidents in Marlborough Avenue, one on the night of June 4 and another on the night of June 12.

As well as informing police, the fire service community safety team has visited the areas to advise residents on reducing fire risk.

Away from people's homes, there was also a fire at Monkey Bridge, Goole, on June 14, and another on the night of June 12 at a scrapyard off Cottingham Street in Old Goole. The scrapyard fire is also under police investigation.

A spokesman for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said: "We monitor the incidents across the service area to look for any trends. In this case, there appears to be a spate of deliberate shed fires in the Goole area."

Anyone with information about these incidents should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.