Man arrested and warning issued after two separate fires in Stafford
Fire incidents prompt safety warnings amid warm, dry weather
Two separate fire incidents in Stafford have led to an arrest and a safety warning from authorities.
On Monday, 17th August, a deliberate fire was reported on Eastgate Street, involving a skip and several bins.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 12.30pm, and firefighters swiftly extinguished the blaze.
No injuries were reported.
A 31-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody for questioning.
Sergeant Gillespie, from the Stafford local policing team, highlighted the increased risk of fire spreading due to the recent warm and dry weather.
"With the warm, dry weather we have experienced recently, the risk of any fire spreading and causing significant damage is high," Gillespie said.
"Thankfully the fire was extinguished quickly by firefighters and an arrest was made."
Authorities are seeking any CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident.
Those with information can call 101, quoting incident 312 of 17 August, or use Live Chat on the police website.
The public can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out on Saturday, 15th August, at Exeter Street.
Crews responded at 1.10pm to reports of a garden fire that had spread to a property.
Three fire appliances attended the scene and successfully extinguished the blaze.
No injuries were reported.
Station Manager Russ Brown, who was at the scene, stressed the importance of caution due to the current weather conditions.
Brown said, “With the current warm, dry conditions we are experiencing across Staffordshire, we are pleading with people to take extra care when outside."
"The risk of fire spreading and becoming out of control is incredibly high and our resources are stretched with the current demand."
"We deemed the cause of the fire to be accidental, by discarded smoking materials, so I would urge people to make sure cigarettes are extinguished and not dropped on dry grass.”