Police suspect youths may have caused major fire at Northwich building

Youths are suspected of causing the devastating fire that has destroyed a building in Northwich. Firefighters spent several hours on the scene of the blaze in Leftwich yesterday (November 27).

The fire broke out at around 6.30am at the vacant former Leftwich Green care home building in Old Hall Road. Firefighters from Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich, and Lymm were first to respond to the incident.

But as it unfolded, further help was required, with three further fire engines from Runcorn, Chester and Warrington responding and another two fire engines from Crewe and Sandbach arriving later in the morning to provide relief to crews already in attendance.

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Cheshire Police confirmed yesterday that a police investigation was being undertaken into the cause of the fire, and officers from Northwich Police unit say they suspect a group of youths may have been responsible.

A spokesperson for Northwich Police said: "[On the night of November 26] we received reports of youths that had gained access, once again, after the building was made secure (for their safety). Which may have led to this morning in which there was a fire that broke out inside the building, which the fire services were called to and managed to put the fire out.

"The building is now more dangerous due to the damage that the fire has caused. So again Cheshire West and Chester Council are making the building secure. But we do ask, if you know of, or hear of anyone that is linked to the building to advise them to stay away from the building. We do not want anyone putting themselves at risk by gaining access to this building."

Inspector Dave Levins of Northwich said: “This investigation is in the early stages and we’re doing everything that we can to establish what took place.

“Therefore, we’re urging anyone was in the area at the time and thinks they may have seen anything suspicious to get in touch. The same goes for anyone with any dashcam or CCTV footage which may aid our investigation.”

Anyone with any information should call 101 or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML-1971752.

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