Appeal following suspected arson attack in Hale

Police are appealing for witnesses and video footage following a suspected arson attack at a house in Hale, near Widnes.

At approximately 9.55pm on Monday 10 October, emergency services were called to reports of a fire at an address on Hale Road.

On arrival of emergency services, the property was well alight and firefighters worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze.

Enquiries to establish the cause of the fire are ongoing, but at this time it is being treated as deliberate.

Detective Constable Rich Gray, of Widnes CID, said: “We are aware that this address has attracted a lot of attention recently following the discovery of a cannabis farm the property in January which has recently been reported in the media. A man was arrested in relation to the cannabis farm, and he has since been passed to another force.

“We are currently in the early stages of this investigation and at this time, we believe that this fire has been started deliberately.

“Officers believe that the property was unoccupied at the time of the blaze and no injuries have been reported to us.

“As part of our investigation we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Hale Road area between 6.30pm and 10pm and believes that they may have witnessed anything suspicious. The same goes for anyone with any video footage which may be relevant to the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/about-us/about-us/provide-more-information-about-an-appeal/, or on 101, quoting incident number 1385862. 

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.