FEARS WERE today growing that an arsonist is targeting Oswestry after a series of unexplained fires in the same area of the town.

It has prompted fire chiefs to launch a leaflet campaign that is urging residents to pass on any information that they have on who could be starting the fires to the police.

Several overnight att-acks have been reported in the Swan Lane area in recent weeks.

The latest happened in the early hours of yesterday.

A wheelie bin was set alight and the blaze spread to a fence panel. A crew from Oswestry Fire Station were called to the blaze, which broke out at 1.50am.

John Davies, Oswestry watch manager, confirmed the incident was of doubtful origin and said concern was growing that it was the latest in a series of fires in the Swan Lane area.

He said as well as contacting the police on each occasion they were called to a suspicious fire, leaflets were also being giving out to neighbours warning them of the dangers of arson attacks.

Mr Davies said: “In partnership with our fire safety department we have been putting leaflets out warning people of the dangers of fire.

“We are asking residents in the area to help stop this.

“If anyone knows anything about these fires they should contact the police or the anonymous Crimestoppers line. The residents can help by staying vigilant and also making sure their waste and rubbish is not left lying around.

“If waste is lying around it can be used to start a fire. What we would ask is for residents to contact the council to ensure their items are taking away as quickly as possible.

“If they are not left around, it will reduce the chances of fires being started.”

Yesterday’s fire follows three suspicious blazes in the space of five days in the same area of the town.

In the early hours of March 27, rubbish and a wheelie bin was set alight in Swan Lane.

The previous morning a fire was started in Swan Lane to a shed and wheelie bin.

And in the early hours of March 22, rubbish was set alight in Swan Lane.

On each occasion nobody was injured but firefighters from the town station had to attend and extinguish the blaze.

By Iain St John