Three houses on different roads across a Midlands market town were deliberately set on fire within 15 minutes today in a linked attack, police believe.
A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the blazes which all happened shortly after 7am in Ashby-de-la Zouch, Leicestershire.
Two teenagers and a woman were taken to hospital, with one teenager being treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation and the other two suffering smoke inhalation.
Their injuries were described by medics as not life-changing or life-threatening and Leicestershire Police confirmed the arrested man remained in custody this afternoon.
The first house fire on Holywell Avenue was called into firefighters at 7.05am, before the second on Prestop Drive at 7.08am and the third on Cliffton Drive at 7.19am.
Police said scene preservations were in place at each location as officers work with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The B6006 Smisby Road was also closed.
One local couple who were walking their dog in the Holywell Road area this morning told LeicestershireLive they ‘didn’t know anything had happened’ until they saw the emergency services, and that the fire was ‘awful, especially just before Christmas’.
Another local resident on Prestop Drive, where a police sniffer dog was present, said: ‘I was surprised that the fire didn’t wake me up, as I am a light sleeper. I only noticed that something had happened when fire trucks and police cars arrived on the road.’
Firefighters on Holywell Avenue in Ashby-de-la Zouch, Leicestershire, this morning
The first house fire on Holywell Avenue was called into firefighters at 7.05am this morning
Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby said: ‘Our investigation remains at an early stage as we continue to piece together the circumstances behind these three incidents.
‘From what we know so far, we believe these incidents to be linked and deliberately caused by the same person. I would ask anyone who may have any information about any of these incidents, to please get in touch.’
An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 7.05am this morning, Friday November 21 to a private address in Ashby De La Zouch.
‘The caller reported a medical emergency. We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, three crewed ambulances and a responder from the air ambulance was also in attendance. We transported three patients to Queen’s Medical Centre.’
And Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We’re currently attending a house fire on Holywell Avenue in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, called in at 7:05 this morning.
Prestop Drive in Ashby-de-la Zouch this morning after another blaze was called in at 7.08am
Black smoke is spotted miles away from the scene in in Ashby-de-la Zouch this morning
‘Five pumps are attending plus the aerial ladder platform – four breathing apparatus are being used to tackle the blaze.
‘Crews have also attended a house fire on Prestop Drive, also called in this morning. This fire has been extinguished and all persons at this address have been accounted for.
‘Leicestershire Police and EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service) are in attendance, along with partners from Cadent and National Grid.
‘Three casualties have been treated, all of whom self-rescued, and have been transferred to hospital by EMAS. Smisby Road (the B6006) has been closed to traffic and motorists should avoid the area and expect delays. This is an ongoing incident.’
Anyone with further information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 104 of November 21, or pass on details anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
