Five arrested after houses torched in arson attack

Two houses were set on fire in York Street, Garston

Five men have been arrested after two houses in the same street were set ablaze.

The occupants of one of the houses were taken to hospital as a precaution after the fires on York Street in the Garston area of Liverpool at 02:50 GMT on 27 December.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the flames at both houses - one of which was empty - and a joint investigation has been launched with Merseyside Police.

The force said five men were questioned on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life before being released on conditional bail.

The men arrested were aged between 18 and 24 and from Liverpool and Runcorn.

Merseyside Police urged anyone with any information about the fires to come forward.

Det Insp Neil Dillon said: "Thankfully no-one was seriously hurt from the incident as both house fires could have spread to neighbouring properties, causing risk to life and extensive damage."