Arsonists spread fire and fear in Manchester flats
Police believe three arson attacks in Manchester City Centre car parks may be linked.
Residents had a lucky escape after a blaze engulfed three vehicles parked below a 7-storey block of flats on Advent Way in Ancoats.
Fire crews were called to the scene at 1.46am (Friday Oct 28) where the blaze had spread to the external cladding of the entire property and smoke had started to seep into the apartments
More than 40 firefighters, including seven fire engines and specialist units, were in attendance at the height of the fire.
A dozen firefighters wearing breathing apparatus carried out extensive searches of the property, which is made up of about 30 flats, and evacuated the apartments safely.
All residents are accounted for and no injuries have been reported.
Group Manager Paul Etches, incident commander, said: "Firefighters have worked well to contain the fire damage predominately to the external cladding of the building and safely and calmly evacuate the residential block.
"Specialist teams have started to remove the cladding and will return in daylight hours to continue.
We would like to say thank you to the building management for their fantastic cooperation and to the residents who have been brilliant here this morning."
Smoke damage has been caused to a number of the properties. Residents have worked with building management and taken shelter in a hotel. They are to remain away from the property until at the earliest midday, at which point the situation will be reviewed.
Hours later at 4.35am, police were made aware of another fire that had been started in a stairwell of a car park on Chatham Street, Piccadilly and just a minute later, the fire service made police aware of a car on fire in a car park on Whitworth Street, near the Gay Village at 4.36am. Police have launched an investigation and are working closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Superintendent Dave Pester of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: "We are in the early stages of the investigation and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents but we believe that the fires may have been deliberately started. "One man was treated by paramedics at the Advent Way scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment." "If anyone in these areas at the relevant times saw anyone acting suspiciously or has any information that would help us with the investigation, please get in touch." Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 6078 or 101 quoting reference number 175 of 28/10/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
PL