Appeal following deliberate flat fire

We are appealing for information after a deliberate fire was started inside a small flat building in Stoke-on-Trent.

At 3.45pm on Sunday (9 July), we were called to Moorland Road in Burslem following reports that two men were trying to ignite a fire inside the building.

A short time later, smoke was seen coming from inside and officers were sent to the scene along with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Those inside the building had self-evacuated and the fire was out before we arrived.

A man in his 50s was taken to hospital by paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service as a precaution, but no injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

The fire was later deemed to be deliberate and a scene was set up temporarily at the location whilst officers investigated.

One of the suspects was described as white, around 5ft 10in, roughly 17 or 18-years-old and of a muscular build. He was wearing a navy-blue shirt and dark jeans.

The second suspect was described as white, around 5ft 10in tall, of a medium build and in his late 30s. He was wearing a navy-blue t-shirt and blue jeans.

They may have headed towards the nearby railway lines and asked people for directions.

Anyone with any information is asked to get in touch with us by calling 101, quoting incident 468 of 9 July, or message us using Live Chat on our website – www.staffordshire.police.uk  

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.