Three fires on housing estates '˜put lives at risk':Northamptonshire Police

The first blaze was at around 8pm on Saturday, May 28, when a disused caravan in Rodney Close, in Daventry’s Southbrook estate was set on fire.

The fire service said things turned serious when the fire spread to fences nearby, destroyed a neighbouring car, damaged a third vehicle and a shed and melted a street lamp.

Two crews of firefighters fought to bring the fire under control, while police officers maintained a safe cordon.

A second fire was started at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, May 31, in The Cherwell, in the Grange estate, Daventry when a black BMW was set alight

The final arson attack happened at about 4.30am on Wednesday, June 1, again in the Grange estate, but this time in The Severn.

A box van was set on fire and neighbours saw two men in hoods to run off.

This fire caused further problems when diesel from the car leaked onto the road and down the drains.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “Arson is extremely dangerous.

“Fire has no boundaries can easily get out of hand, spreads quickly and can endanger lives.”

PCSO Paul Harris later tweeted: “I can’t believe someone can be so stupid as to put other people’s lives at risk.

“If you may know who’s involved don’t protect them by staying quiet as next time we may have a serious injury or worse.

“Don’t put yourselves or your children at risk.”

Anyone with information about the arsons can call Northants police or PCSO Harris on 101 ext 344266.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sergeant Sam Dobbs said: “This is damage to valuable assets that are devastating people’s lives.

“While there is nothing to link these incidents together, we cannot rule this out either. We desperately need people in community who may know the offenders responsible to come forward and contact us to Crimestoppers in confidence.

“If you know someone who’s coming home smelling of smoke of gasoline, or you’ve seen the people responsible setting fires - no matter how trivial you may think it is - we would urge you to make contact.”

Warren Ellison, of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These are dangerous fires that are not only damaging property, but potentially putting lives at risk.

“When fire crews attend incidents like this, they are potentially being pulled away from other life threatening fires.”