Arsonists targeting bins in latest spree

Tipton fire station's crew commander Gary Melville said crews have been called out on at least five occasions in recent weeks.

In the latest attack a car caught fire after a bin was set alight on Sunday night. Now fire crews are urging residents to be vigilant.

The most recent attacks come after a teenager was arrested and bailed after a string of fires in Walsall.

Crew commander Melville said today that arson was the 'weapon of choice'.

He said: "We are having a bit of a spate of somebody setting fire to household wheelie bins. Personally we have had five in three weeks."

In the latest fire, crews from the station were called to Palethorpe Road in Ocker Hill at 11.53pm on Sunday.

The fire spread from the bin and damaged a nearby VW Golf.

Crew commander Melville said: "This one caught the front end of this man's car, he was quite upset about it and said we should be going out and doing more important things like saving someone's life rather than dealing with wheelie bins.

"The councils are changing most of their bins to these household wheelie bins and they seem to be attractive – they go up quite well because they are made of plastic and full of rubbish inside."

He said firefighters have also been called to wheelie bin fires in Wednesbury Oak Road and High Street in recent weeks and urged residents to be vigilant and put their bins out as late as possible.

Last month the Express & Star reported that vandals were setting fire to wheelie bins near homes in Walsall. 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.

The series of eight blazes happened during September and October on Ivatt Close, Pelsall Lane and Newcomen Court.

An 18-year-old man was arrested and 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.