Three Houses Set Alight in 15-Minute Spree
A 50-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences following a series of deliberate house fires that tore through a Leicestershire market town on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, saw three separate properties set alight within a devastating 15-minute period shortly after 7am.
Emergency Services Rush to the Scene
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received the first emergency call at 7:05 am reporting a blaze at a property on Holywell Avenue. Just three minutes later, at 7:08 am, firefighters were dispatched to a second fire on Prestop Drive. The third and final call came at 7:19 am for a house fire on Cliffton Drive.
The rapid succession of incidents prompted a massive emergency response. An East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed they received the initial call at 7:05 am and dispatched significant resources to the scene. 'We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, three crewed ambulances and a responder from the air ambulance was also in attendance,' the spokesman stated.
Victims Hospitalised with Non-Life-Threatening Injuries
Three people were transported to Queen's Medical Centre for treatment following the fires. The casualties included two teenagers and a woman. Medical professionals confirmed that one teenager was treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation, while the other two patients were suffering from smoke inhalation.
All injuries were described by medics as not life-changing or life-threatening, providing some relief to the community amidst the shocking events.
Local residents expressed their shock at the morning's events. One couple walking their dog in the Holywell Road area told LeicestershireLive they 'didn't know anything had happened' until they saw the emergency services, describing the fire as 'awful, especially just before Christmas'.
Another resident on Prestop Drive, where police sniffer dogs were later present, remarked: 'I was surprised that the fire didn't wake me up, as I am a light sleeper. I only noticed that something had happened when fire trucks and police cars arrived on the road.'
Police Investigation and Political Response
The accused man, aged 50, has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life and an additional charge of dangerous driving. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby provided an update on the investigation, stating: 'Our investigation remains at an early stage as we continue to piece together the circumstances behind these three incidents. From what we know so far, we believe these incidents to be linked and deliberately caused by the same person.'
He appealed to the public for information, urging anyone with knowledge about the incidents to come forward.
The political response was swift, with Labour North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack confirming she was 'aware of the incident in Ashby this morning and am in contact with local police'. She extended her gratitude to 'all the emergency services involved in the response'.
Police have maintained scene preservations at all three locations as their investigation continues in collaboration with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The B6006 Smisby Road was closed during the initial response and investigation.
