Wellgate fire: Police statement after Rotherham street closed after arson attack in early hours
Firefighters have revealed an incident which led police to close a South Yorkshire street in the early hours was an arson attack.
Wellgate in Rotherham was closed, between Bernard Street and Broom Valley Road, with two police cars guarding either side of a cordon earlier today.
Police have now released a statement describing the incident which triggered the response, with the road still closed at noon.
South Yorkshire Police told The Star: “We were called by the fire service today (Friday, February 13) at 4.01am making us aware of reports of a building on fire on Wellgate in Rotherham. Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.
“Upon inspection, significant damage was found to have been caused to the property. The address was found to be unoccupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. It is believed the fire was started deliberately.
“A scene is currently in place on Wellgate while officers conduct enquiries.”
Police say their investigation is ongoing and want anyone with information to contact them on 101 or online quoting incident number 87 of February 13, 2026, when they get in touch.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Three fire crews from Rotherham, Parkway and Maltby stations were called out to a premise fire at 3.54am on Wellgate, Rotherham.
“The fire is believed to have been started deliberately. Crews left the scene at 7.49am.”
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A large police cordon was put in place around the scene, with blue and white police tape stretched across the road.
Several Northern Powergrid vans could be seen on the street, with workers in high vis clothing also there.
Several streets around the area were without electricity this morning after the incident.