Arsonists torched two cars and a house in targeted attacks that police say were intended to cause fear and intimidation ‘using fire as a weapon’.
Firefighters found a Seat Ibiza alight on Clayton Street in Duckinfield, Greater Manchester, at 12.20am on Christmas Day, and quickly brought the fire under control.
The same car was targeted again shortly before 12.45am on Boxing Day in a terrifying attack that saw a terraced house doused with petrol and another vehicle torched in a neighbouring street.
Neighbours described flames reaching ‘almost up to the roof’ of the house(pictured) on Clayton Street, Greater Manchester, and repeated explosions as tyres burst during the inferno
Neighbours described flames reaching ‘almost up to the roof’ of the house, and repeated explosions as tyres burst during the inferno.
Jamie Walker, who ran outside after the house was set alight, said: ‘I heard some messing about outside, then I heard it go up.
‘Before I knew it the house was on fire. I charged over to try and wake them up, but there was no-one in.
‘It looks like they have thrown petrol over the front door and set it alight. The flames were almost up to the roof. The petrol can was on fire outside, so I booted it away.
Detective Sergeant Steve Hall said: ‘The offender’s full intention was to cause fear and intimidation using fire as a weapon.’ Pictured: The burnt-out Seat Ibiza
‘That’s when I saw the other car parked round the corner was on fire too.
‘The bangs from the tyres exploding were pretty bad.’
Fellow Clayton Street resident Brian Haycocks added: ‘I was in bed and I heard a loud ‘whoosh’ sound.
‘It was just after midnight so I thought it was fireworks, but I looked out the window and saw the house on fire.
‘The flames were so intense they melted the window frame. It’s crazy.’
Detective Sergeant Steve Hall said: ‘The offender’s full intention was to cause fear and intimidation using fire as a weapon.
‘Thankfully nobody was in the property at the time of either incident so there have been no reported injuries as a result. However, the fires have caused extensive damage to the house and totally destroyed the cars.
‘We believe these to be linked targeted attacks and we have a team of dedicated detectives working to find whoever is responsible and bring them into custody.
‘We have also increased patrols in the area to provide visible reassurance to local residents and I would encourage anyone with concerns to please approach one of our officers and speak with them.
‘Cases like this cannot be solved without the public’s help and I would urge anybody with any information at all to come forward and contact police.’
Firemen responding to the car and house on fire on Clayton Street during the Boxing Day attack, which came hours after a previous ‘targeted’ strike