Yobs in arson attack on Walsall wheelie bins
Wheelie bins have been torched near homes in a spate of arson attacks, police revealed today.
Eight fires were started in three roads in Walsall, and in one blaze a terrified resident had to climb out of a window to escape as flames were blocking his front door.
A teenager has been arrested and bailed over the attacks.
The series of eight blazes happened during September and October on Ivatt Close, Pelsall Lane and Newcomen Court.
The Express & Star previously reported that paint technician and father-of-two Richard Mills, aged 39, noticed smoke pouring into his ground floor flat in Newcomen Court, Ivatt Close, Rushall, at about 3am on October 15.
A wheelie bin full of household rubbish had been set alight, spreading to his front door and filling the property with acrid smoke.
To make a quick exit and avoid the plumes of smoke, he climbed out of a ground floor window at the back.
Mr Mills, who lives alone but whose children sometimes stay with him, then ran down the street to firefighters who had just finished tackling another wheelie bin fire outside a house in nearby Pelsall Lane.
The 18-year-old arrested has since been bailed by police and given conditions which include a curfew that means he is unable to leave his home from 10pm to 6am every day.
He was also banned from entering Newcomen Court and Ivatt Close in Rushall and has been ordered to return to a local police station for further questioning towards the end of this month.
Detective Constable Karl Schild, from the major investigation team, said: "These attacks have involved someone setting fire to wheelie bins in residential streets and on some occasions the wheelie bins have been pushed up against front doors. I would urge anyone who may be able to help with our investigation to contact me by dialling 101.
"If you saw something or anyone acting suspiciously in the area during the times of the fires then please come forward."
