Residents evacuated after several cars set alight in Hartlepool

Fire crews and police have cordoned off seven streets in Hartlepool. Credit: ITV News

Police and fire crews have been dealing with a number of vehicle fires across Hartlepool.

Emergency services received reports of eight cars set alight overnight (Friday 18 August) across seven different streets in the town.

Affected areas include; Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road.

One of the cars set on fire overnight in Hartlepool. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and is in police custody, superintendent Martin Hopps, District Commander of Hartlepool Police, confirmed.

Some residents were evacuated from their homes during the night.

Katie Rees, who owns one of the cars set alight, said: "I just woke up with an orange blaze outside the window, not sure what was going on. I just thought it was the TV light at first because we had the TV on. Next thing you could just smell black smoke everywhere, neighbours were screaming to get out."

Supt Hopps said: "The latest so far is that we've had eight vehicle attacked overnight in the early hours of this morning. They've been maliciously ignited.

"At this moment in time we do have a suspect in custody."

Forensic officers are working on the scenes to establish further details about the fires.

A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "In the early hours of this morning at least eight cars were set deliberately on fire in Hartlepool on Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road.

"We dispatched eight fire engines (from Hartlepool, Headland, Billingham, Thornaby and Stockton) to extinguish multiple vehicles which were alight and crews worked closely with Cleveland Police to keep residents as safe as possible.

"We’d like to reassure to residents that an investigation is underway."

Police are appealing for anyone with information or footage which could assist with the investigation is asked to get in touch with Cleveland Police on 101.

A number of cars were set alight overnight. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

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