Revamp estate hit by arson

These dramatic pictures show fire crews battling a blaze at an empty house on a Walsall estate, which has become a playground for arsonists.

Figures revealed by West Midlands Fire Service today revealed crews have fought 19 fires in Goscote in four months.

All are believed to have been started deliberately in Goscote Lodge Crescent and Hildicks Crescent on the estate, which is largely uninhabited and awaiting a multi-million pound overhaul. Twelve firefighters aboard two engines from Aldridge and Bloxwich were yesterday called to Goscote Lodge Crescent at about 2pm to douse flames and smoke at a boarded-up semi-detached house.

Since December 14, the service has tackled eight derelict house fires, nine grass and rubbish fires, one caravan fire and one car fire.

The fire service's group manager Jim Finnott told the Express & Star that 12 scheduled home visits had to be cancelled as a result of the crews being tied up for four hours tackling the suspected arson.

"These sorts of incidents are a drain on our resources and prevent us from doing our normal jobs in fire prevention," he said. "While we were dealing with Goscote Lodge Crescent, other crews were brought from other areas to cover the stations."nextpage