Woman arrested after fire in quiet Darwen street (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Woman arrested after fire in quiet Darwen street

11:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

A WOMAN has been arrested after a fire in a quiet Darwen street.

Firefighters were called to Cocker Street, behind Watery Lane, at 11.45pm on Thursday.

Police were called due to initial fears that somebody may have been inside the house.

And although nobody was injured in the blaze, police arrested a 55-year-old woman on suspicion of arson at 2.30am yesterday. (FRI) Police said they believed the fire had been started deliberately, with two bins set alight up against the wall of the house.

Three fire engines from Darwen station attended the blaze, which resulted in the front door and porch of the house being destroyed.

The fire also caused severe damage to the hallway.

Police said they had begun a joint investigation with the fire service into the fire.

Yesterday a police officer was keeping watch over the property, which was surrounded by crime scene tape.

One neighbour said: “We were asleep at the time when we heard all this popping noise.

“We thought it was fireworks at first.

“There was a fire engine in Cocker Street and another on the corner, then another turned up later on.

“We didn’t have a clue what was going on.”

Whitehall town councillor Vicky Rothwell, who lives on the nearby Thompson Street, said: “I heard all the commotion and peeked out of my bedroom window.

“I saw a lot of flashing lights and heard all the police cars driving past.

“I am just glad that nobody was hurt and hope everyone around there is okay.

“This isn’t the sort of thing we want happening in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.