Peterborough residents 'fearful' after repeated arson attacks

Four bins in a storage unit were damaged at Eagle Way, Hampton, Peterborough

Residents fear "someone could get hurt" after a spate of arson fires were reported from the same area of a city.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed at least four bin fires had been reported in Hampton, Peterborough since the start of October.

At least two of the incidents were confirmed as arson including a bin fire on Wednesday morning which led to 30 people being evacuated.

Cambridgeshire Police are appealing for information.

On 15 October fire crews were called to a blaze in Eagle Way in Hampton Vale where a large bin store was alight.

Firefighters responded to a second bin fire in Eagle Way on 2 November which was started deliberately.

Michael Stracey's flat is next to the bin storage damaged last month.

"It could have been worse," he said.

"I have a shed where I put my mobility scooter next to this building which was badly damaged. I have nowhere to store it now.

"The bin storage backs onto my bedroom wall and if the fire was any worse, it could have ended very badly. It's very stressful."

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said it has been difficult to identify cause of some of the four fires in Hampton

At 00:20 GMT on Wednesday, bins were set alight in Silver Hill, Hampton Hargate.

Police and fire crews attended after the blaze spread near to gas mains, leading to about 30 people being evacuated.

All residents, except the occupants of the house which caught fire, have since been able to return.

Insp Sam Tucker of Cambridgeshire Police said: "While we are keeping an open mind, we cannot rule out that these incidents are not connected.

"We have got detectives investigating the arsons."

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said: "Our investigations show there is a mixture of causes for these fires. Due to the extent of the damage it's difficult to say in some cases or suggest they were started intentionally."