Blaze man and dog rescued
An elderly man and his dog were rescued from his Shropshire home as firefighters feared a huge blaze that engulfed his garage could cause an explosion. An elderly man and his dog were rescued from his Shropshire home as firefighters feared a huge blaze that engulfed his garage could cause an explosion. Arsonists are believed to have started the fire at Summerhill, Sutton Hill, last night, which saw flames reach 40ft in the air and destroyed the building and several vehicles inside. Eye witnesses said the elderly man also had fireworks in the garage, which caused explosions. The blaze came less than 48 hours after a suspected arson attack gutted two empty houses in the same road. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Arsonists are believed to have started the fire at Summerhill, Sutton Hill, last night, which saw flames reach 40ft in the air and destroy the building and several vehicles inside.
The blaze came less than 48 hours after a suspected arson attack gutted two empty houses in the same road.
The elderly man, who lived in a house behind the garage, was brought out by residents and firefighters.
People in the area were warned to stay inside as fire crews were told there were cylinders inside the garage.
Eyewitnesses said the elderly man also had fireworks inside the garage, which caused explosions during the blaze.
The garage is believed to have housed a Smart Car, BMW C1, a camper van, a Fiat X19 and two Bedford vans, along with a number of classic motorbikes.
Eyewitness Archie Ginty said: "I heard the fireworks and then I came down and it was blazing. The firemen and local people got the old man out."
About 30 firefighters brought the blaze under control and used a heat camera to check for cylinders. They found two propane canisters, which were not a high risk.
Sub officer Guy Williams, of Telford Central Fire Station, said fire was engulfing the garage when they arrived at 10pm. There was no response from his home so firefighters had to force their way in.
Mr Williams added: "It could have been very serious. Storage of cylinders in residential areas can have serious consequences."
The properties targeted at the weekend were next to Shaun Ginty's partner's house in Summerhill.
Mr Ginty said his partner and five children aged three, 13, 14, 15 and 18 were evacuated from their home early on Saturday.
Mr Ginty said: "Empty houses on this estate are fire hazards. Now my partner's house has been left on its own so it's waiting to go up now. The old man had everything in that garage and it all had petrol in.
Police today said the incidents were not being linked but were both being treated as suspicious.
By Dave West and Kirsty Marston
