A combined operation between Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Derbyshire Police is investigating a spate of fires in Heanor in the Amber Valley.
In the early hours of Tuesday 10th May, crews from Ilkeston joined those from Heanor, Ripley and Eastwood to attend as many as nine separate blazes in the space of just one hour from shortly after 4am.
The fires were started in Park Street, Nelson Street, Kingsway, Broadway, Stainsby Avenue and Ilkeston Road affecting wheelie bins, vehicles, buildings and street furniture as well as one blaze being started in the open and another in a shed.
Group Manager Lee Williams from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “We know people living in the Heanor area will be concerned following the attendance of fire crews at nine separate fires in the early hours. Through the community safety partnership, we are working with our partners as a matter of priority to tackle anti-social behaviour in Heanor.”
Detective Inspector Lyndsey Curtis from Derbyshire Police said: “We would like to offer reassurance to the residents of Heanor that an investigation is underway into these incidents and that two people – a 35-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman -- have been arrested on suspicion of arson. The pair remain in police custody and detectives’ enquiries are ongoing.
“We are very keen to hear from anyone who has private CCTV installed in the areas of Park Street, Nelson Street, Kingsway, Broadway, Stainsby Avenue and Ilkeston Road.
“Equally, anyone driving in the area between 4am and 5am this morning who has dash cam installed is asked to check their footage.
“Anyone with information, or anyone who has noticed fire damage to their property which has not yet been reported to police, should contact us quoting reference 22*264866"
- Facebook– send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter– direct message the contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website– complete the online contact form at derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call 101
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org
If you have footage that may be useful for officers, please ensure it is securely downloaded to another device and kept safely for them to view.
FireStoppers
Anyone with information about deliberate fire setting can report this 100% anonymously to FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 Alternatively, you can report information online at firestoppersreport.co.uk.