Arsonists target more cars over weekend

FIREFIGHTERS put out seven burning vehicles over the weekend, all of which are thought to have been set alight on purpose.

One crew from Dearne station attended a burning moped on Kingsway in Thurnscoe at 7.50pm on Friday, leaving the scene at around 8.15pm.

Rotherham station were called to The Lanes, East Dene at 3.25am on Saturday.

There they put out a torched Toyota Corolla, leaving the scene at around 4am.

A Dearne station crew visited Goldsmiths Road in East Herringthorpe at 7.30am the same day, where three cars were ablaze.

The fire spread to guttering on a nearby house.

The same station attended a burning car on Windhill Avenue, Mexborough at 8.20pm on Saturday, coming away at about 9pm.

And Dearne station attended one burning car on Mexborough Road, Bolton-upon-Dearne at 8.30pm yesterday.

They used a hose reel to put out the four-wheel-drive car, leaving the scene at around 8.50pm.

A fire service spokeswoman said: “We treat all acts of arson extremely seriously.

“We are working closely with South Yorkshire Police to identify those responsible and to prevent further instances occurring.”

She added: “Incidents such as these take up a large amount of our resources when they could be needed at life-threatening emergencies.

“These small fires have the potential to spread to properties and could put lives at risk.

“If residents have any information about people starting fires in their area, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”