[15 AUG 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Rugby Arsonists Strike Twice In The Night

Residents were led from their beds in the middle of the night after arsonists struck at two homes in Rugby this morning.

Police and fire crews were called to a home in George Street, New Bilton, about 1.15am. Seven people escaped from the first floor using a ladder on a fire engine.

Within a few minutes, a similar attack was made on a house in Kew Road, in the town centre, although neighbours put out the flames and fire service not immediately called.

Police are linking the incidents and treating them as suspsected arson.

A police spokeswoman said of the George Street fire:

“The occupants were led to safety. There was damage to the front door and it was believed an accelerant was used to ignite the doorway.

“There were no injuries to any of the occupants. We are linking this to a fire with a very similar cause at an address nearby.

“The neighbours were alterted to the fire and they extinguished it before the fire service arrived.”

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said the front door was ‘well-alight’ at the George Street address when they arrived, the first floor was smoke logged and seven people were led to safety.

They were not called to the Kew Road incident until several hours after the fire, when police had linked the two fires and started to investigate them as arson.

Anyone who can offer information should call Rugby CID on 01788 541111 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.

SEE: [16 AUG 00]  HELP CATCH ARSONISTS PLEA FROM RUGBY MAYOR