Arsonists attack cars on nearby Melton streets five minutes apart

Firefighters were alerted to reports of a vehicle ablaze in The Crescent and then five minutes later to another car being on fire in Drummond Walk.

Crews from Oakham and Birstall attended the incidents, which took place at 3.34am and 3.39am, because the town’s crews were tied up on another emergency.

Police are linking the attacks on the two cars and officers have launched an investigation.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Officers were called regarding two reports of vehicle fires in Melton Mowbray during the early hours of Saturday morning.

“A car was found on fire in The Crescent at 3.34am and a second car was found on fire in Drummond Walk at 3.39am.

“The call to police was received from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

“The incidents are being linked and are being treated as arson.

“No-one was injured in the incidents.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 18000380157.

Shortly before the arson attack on the first car was reported, two Melton crews were deployed to a blaze in a bin compound in Park Road in the town.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said all three fires were believed to have been started deliberately.

A spokesperson said: “We were initially called to a bin compound fire which had caused smoke to enter a building and had set off an alarm.

“We very quickly got another set of calls to a car fire on The Crescent and then another call to another car fire on the car park just off Dieppe Way.

“The fire investigator was called to attend all three sites to collate information to assist with establishing the cause and damage for all of the incidents.”

More to follow.