An abandoned building blighted by arson attacks has again been set alight for the seventh time in less than a year.
The most recent blaze at the abandoned terrace on Trinity Street, Runcorn, was reported at 6.04pm on Monday. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said a suitcase had been set alight, prompting the crew to extinguish the flames.
A CFRS spokeswoman said crews have tackled nine blazes on Trinity Street since August, with seven of those at the “abandoned construction site”.
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She said the fires have involved an “unfinished timber-framed house and have been started deliberately on each occasion”.
The service’s incident log shows three blazes at the site during April alone - April 4, April 20 and April 24.
Archive Google Streetview maps show three houses were under construction at the plot in July 2018.
One of those has been completely destroyed now, the central property completely fire-ravaged with clear sky visible through the timber frame, and the third unit still resembling a house but badly damaged.
The ECHO understands that flames from previous incidents have damaged the Grade-II listed Holy Trinity Church next door including smashing the windows, amid concerns the gutted homes are a structural hazard and could collapse on trespassers and vandals.
Blazes at the site date back further than August last year also, with a dramatic inferno raging above Runcorn’s rooftops in December 2020.
According to Land Registry documents obtained by the ECHO, the site was bought by a Salford-based developer in December 2017 for £85,000, with the firm subsequently being dissolved via compulsory strike-off in February 2019.
The future of the building’s charred remains, piles of bricks and exposed cladding and panelling is unknown, but a borough fire chief has branded the site a “nuisance” and a diversion.
David Rutter, CFRS’s service delivery manager for Halton and Warrington, told the ECHO: "Arson puts lives and property at risk and diverts our firefighters from critical incidents.
“This site has become a nuisance for local people and our crews.
"Although our powers as a fire and rescue service are limited, we have increased our visibility in the area and our fire safety team is working closely with our partners at Halton Borough Council and Cheshire Police to resolve the problem."
Chief Inspector Rob McLoughlin, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit (LPU), said officers have received three fire reports for the site since August relating to August 17, April 5 and April 20, when police have been called to support fire crews but no culprits have been identified.
He said the LPU holds regular meetings with the fire service, Halton Borough Council’s building safety team and the joint Community Safety Team, adding Trinity Street has been discussed on previous occasions and "will feature in future dialogue".
He said the police have launched the “Firesetters” public information campaign alongside the fire service, aimed at educating owners to the risks associated with derelict and unoccupied buildings with the goal of reducing deliberate fires and associated antisocial behaviour.
Ch Insp McLoughlin said Halton Council was leading enquiries in relation to the building and ownership.
He urged anyone with any information in relation to arson to report it to the police or Crimestoppers, telling the ECHO: "Clearly, we deem deliberate fires a significant risk to public safety.
"If you see anyone setting or playing with fire in this area call the fire and rescue service immediately on 999.
"Use the what3words free app to give us the exact location.
"If you have any information regarding fire-setting in this area please phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
"The implications to these mindless actions are significant.
"I would urge anyone with information to contact Cheshire Constabulary or fire and rescue service if they have information to provide."
Anyone with any information about the latest fire is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101.
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