Arson attacks claim as police investigate two Shrewsbury town centre fires

Officers were called to a fire in The Shrewsbury Hotel's bin yard in the early hours of yesterday morning, before being alerted about a second fire nearby.

A spokesman for Wetherspoons, which owns the hotel, said the fire was spotted by a member of kitchen staff.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Someone accessed the bin store and lit some cardboard in one of the cages using a lighter.

“Fortunately one of the kitchen staff was taking the rubbish out, spotted it before it got out of hand and managed to put it out.

“The assailant then walked around the perimeter of the pub into an alley between us and a neighbouring Indian restaurant and set fire to their bin.

“This fire was significant and was attended to by the fire brigade.

“This could have been a very serious incident had it not been for the actions of our staff member.

“The police are investigating.”

Extinguish

A West Mercia Police spokesman said there were no injuries as a result of the fires.

He said: "Police were called at 3.30am in the early hours of October 21 about a bin fire in the bin yard at The Shrewsbury Hotel.

"It’s believed the fire started at around 2.40am with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attending to extinguish the fire.

"It’s believed there was also a second fire at a nearby bin. No-one was injured and the cause of the fire is not yet known."

If anyone does have information they can contact police on 101 quoting reference 128s of October 21. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org