Arsonist condemned for starting fires close to homes in Rotherham

Firefighters were alerted to the first blaze, involving three bins in an alleyway in Durham Street, Maltby, at 2.23am.

The next fire, in an alleyway in Albert Street, involved two wheelie bins and was discovered at 2.34am.

At 2.45am firefighters were called to a bin fire in an alleyway in Schofield Crescent and at 4.34am another bin was found burning in Muglet Lane.

Last night a wheelie bin was torched in Richmond Road, Richmond, Sheffield.

A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “Setting fire to wheelie bins is reckless and can cost lives.

“In recent, high-profile, national cases, arson attacks like this have resulted in murder convictions and substantial prison sentences.

“The maximum sentence for arson is life in prison and we’d encourage members of the public who know of people starting fires in their area to call Crimestoppers.

“We’d advise residents to store rubbish securely and to bring bins in off the road as soon as possible after they’ve been collected.”

Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.