Fires on Shrewsbury estate treated as arson

Two fires overnight on an estate where there have been other fires in recent weeks are being treated as arson.

A garden shed in the Coldridge Drive area of the Herongate estate in Shrewsbury was set alight, causing damage to the back of a Peugeot van.

In the second incident a wheelie bin was set on fire and the flames damaged a Vauxhall Astra, police said.

The fire service was due to visit the estate later in the day to offer reassurance and advice.

'Loss of life'

Guy Williams, station manager at Shrewsbury fire station, said: "You can make yourself safer by leaving your refuse in your property at the back of your property, hopefully behind a secured fence or gate until the last possible minute.

"[You can make yourself safer] by removing newspapers or mail or leaflets, etc, from your doorway.

"The potential for injury and loss of life is increasing the more these attacks carry on."

Earlier this month police arrested three people in connection with a series of arson attacks at homes on the estate.

Three youths were taken into custody on 6 October on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following fires at four homes over 10 days.

The West Mercia force said the latest two incidents on Wednesday were being treated as arson and appealed for witnesses.