Pylon set on fire in bid to strip off metal

Thieves deliberately set fire to a 33,000-volt pylon on the Shropshire border before attempting to strip it of valuable metal.

Firefighters were called to put out the blaze and warned someone could have been killed.

The pylon was set alight on the B4500 between Chirk and Glyn Ceiriog at about 6am yesterday.

Tracey Williams, spokeswoman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We understand it happens in the Merseyside area where poles are deliberately set alight so the thieves can get to the copper metal and strip it away.

"It is a concern that this might have come to North Wales. It is also a huge concern that anybody is setting fire to electrical equipment to get at metal. They could have caused serious injury."

Call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.