Officers appeal for information following multiple fires in Birkenhead

We can confirm that emergency services are currently at several addresses in Birkenhead following reports of multiple fires in the area.

Just after 4.50am this morning officers were called to a report of a fire at an address on Claughton Road that had caused damage to other properties.

Nine other fires to skips and vehicles in the nearby area were also reported. 

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fires in the area. Houses around the properties were evacuated and road closures are in place in the surrounding area.

Several people have been taken to hospital with injuries caused from smoke inhalation and are in a stable condition. Two police officers were also taken to hospital after suffering dog bites to their arm and hand.

Further reports and examinations have established that the fires may have been caused deliberately at present. 

A 31-year-old man from Egremont has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He has been taken to a police station in Merseyside for further questioning. 

A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police. 

Chief Inspector Colin Dyer said: “We are working closely with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in establishing the cause of this horrifying incident that has caused severe damage to several people’s homes and left one house destroyed in Birkenhead. 

“Although we have made an arrest, I would ask anyone who lives in the area and saw or heard anything from around 4.30am onwards this morning to come forward.

“You may have doorbell footage or have been passing the houses in a vehicle which has dashcam. Please check, as this could be vital to our investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information can contact us by DM via our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference to 203 of Saturday 17 June. 

You can also contact the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.