Man, 50, is charged after three house fires saw two teenagers and a woman rushed to hospital
A man has been charged after three house fires on separate roads in the Midlands market town sent two teenagers and a woman to hospital.
The 50-year-old man, who has not been named, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life after setting fire to houses within 15 minutes in Ashby-de-la Zouch, Leicestershire, shortly after 7am on Friday.
Two young people and a woman were hospitalized, one young person was treated for burn injuries and smoke inhalation, while the other two complained of smoke inhalation.
The injuries were described by paramedics as not life-altering or life-threatening.
The man was also charged with dangerous driving and will remain in custody before appearing before Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Firefighters were called to the first house fire on Holywell Avenue at 7.05am, the second to Prestop Drive at 7.08am and the third to Cliffton Drive at 7.19am.
Police said scene protection measures were in place at each location as officers worked alongside Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The B6006 Smisby Road was also closed.
A local couple walking their dog in the Holywell Road area this morning told LeicestershireLive they ‘didn’t know anything had happened’ until they saw emergency services and that the fire was ‘especially nasty just before Christmas’.
Aerial view of a house fire on Holywell Avenue in Ashby-de-la Zouch on Friday
Fire crews arrived at the scene following a house fire on Holywell Avenue in Ashby-de-la Zouch. A man has since been charged
Aerial view of the scene of a house fire that occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Friday
Another resident, who lives in Prestop Drive, where the police detection dog is also located, said: ‘I was surprised the fire didn’t wake me up as I was a light sleeper. ‘When the fire trucks and police cars came onto the road I realized something was happening.’
Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby said: ‘Our investigation is still 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 are related and were deliberately caused by the same person. I would urge anyone with information regarding these incidents to please get in touch.’
On Friday, Labor MP for North West Leicestershire Amanda Hack said: ‘I am aware of the incident in Ashby this morning and have been in contact with local police. ‘We would like to thank all emergency services involved in the response.’
A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: ‘We received a call at 7.05am on Friday morning, November 21, from a private address in Ashby De La Zouch.
‘The caller reported a medical emergency. We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, an ambulance with three crew members and a response officer from the air ambulance were also present. ‘We transported three patients to Queen’s Medical Center.’
