POLICE are looking for information to help trace five youths who are suspected of setting fire to allotments in Parr.
Sexton Avenue Community allotments in Parr were torched at about 5.15pm on Thursday, April 29.
Flames spread to 30ft tall trees nearby and were within metres of spreading to nearby homes, people involved in running the allotments have told the Star.
The five boys got on to the allotments via Inman Avenue and set a fire. They are then believed to have made off from the scene on foot.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire and no injuries were reported.
READ> Police give update on investigation into stabbing
CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible, police say.
In a statement sent to the Star, the Sexton Avenue Community Allotment Garden wrote: "Five boys were captured on CCTV climbing over the gates of our community garden, assembling wood and other items before a fire was started.
"They continue to feed the fire until it got out of hand.
"The fire spread to a row of 30ft high trees and our storage container became engulfed with the fire spreading just metres away from the nearby residential houses.
"Thankfully neighbours alerted the fire brigade and the fire was extinguished around 6.15pm.
A picture shared following the clean-up
"Although due to the fire we have lost quite a bit of our equipment we are so very grateful for all the support that we have received from the local community and the kind assistance of the volunteers who turned up the following morning to help clean up the aftermath."
Meanwhile, Local Policing Inspector Rob Budden said: “Starting fires deliberately is utterly irresponsible, putting our communities at risk and placing an unnecessary strain on our already overstretched emergency services.
“Thankfully the fire service extinguished the fire before anyone was harmed, but this reckless disregard for people and property is simply not acceptable in Merseyside and we are determined to identify those responsible.
“If you know anything about this incident, please come forward as your information could help assist us with enquiries.
The fire spread to a row of 30ft high trees
“Whether you contact us directly or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, your information will be acted upon.”
Anyone who was in the area on Thursday with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.
You can also call 101 quoting reference 21000274302 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here