Two children, 12, arrested on suspicion of arson after scrapyard fire

Police have arrested a boy and a girl, both 12 years old, on suspicion of arson after a huge fire tore through a scrapyard in Rochdale.

Emergency crews were called to reports of a fire at a business’ premises near Corporation Road on the town’s outskirts at around 7.10pm on Saturday evening.

A 100-metre long workshop and around 30 cars were incinerated in the blaze, according to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.

A man was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure but has since been discharged.

It took 35 firefighters from six stations in the area to bring the fire under control.

Locals were still being urged to keep their windows and doors closed this morning due to smoke, while the area remains closed to traffic.

The boy and the girl have been released under investigation as police continue to probe the fire’s causes.

Fire crews said they had managed to direct the vast majority of water run-off into trains to avoid polluting the River Roch.

Another fire broke out at a tower block in Manchester’s Northern Quarter this morning.

Nobody was hurt although 70 residents were evacuated from the building.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘At around 7.10pm on Saturday 23 May 2020, police were called to reports of a fire at a business premises off Corporation Road, Rochdale.

‘A man was taken to hospital as a precaution but has since been discharged.

‘A 12-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl were arrested on suspicion of arson. They have been released under investigation. An investigation is underway.

‘Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4668 quoting 2353 of 23/05/20 or the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Metro News UK