Man jailed for arson, which then led to Wallasey Tunnel being closed

A man has been jailed for arson following a fire at an apartment building in Liverpool which led to an incident at the Vauxhall end of the Wallasey Tunnel on Sunday 27 November.

41-year-old Craig Sumner of Liverpool Road, Cross Heath, Newcastle, was given a 24-week sentence for arson at Sefton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 29 November.

At around 2.15pm on Sunday 27 November a fire was reported on the ground floor communal area of an apartment block on Great Homer Street in Liverpool.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services attended and extinguished the fire. Further reports and examinations established that the fire could have been caused deliberately.

It was later reported that there was a concern for the safety of a man at the Vauxhall end of the Wallasey Tunnel, who was alleged to have caused the fire at the apartment.

The tunnel was closed for around four hours while officers dealt with the incident.

The man came down from the tunnel and was arrested.

Sumner was charged with arson on Monday 28 November and sentenced the following day.

Detective Inspector Katie Coote said: “I would like to thank our officers and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who dealt with this dangerous incident in Liverpool.

“The fire caused significant smoke damage to the ground floor of the apartment and put numerous residents’ at risk.

“I hope Sumner can now reflect on his reckless behaviour, and the significant impact his actions could have had on others.”

Anyone who has information about crime in their community can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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