Appeal following fire

We are appealing for information following a large fire in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 2.40pm on Friday (2 October) to Newcastle Street in Burslem following reports of a fire involving a two-storey derelict building.

Officers attended scene alongside colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A 42-year-old woman, of no fixed address, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

A 38-year-old man, of Stoke-on-Trent, and a 42-year-old man, of no fixed address, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

They have all been released on conditional bail whilst our enquiries continue.

Sergeant Nathan Moghaddam, from the Stoke North local policing team, said: “This incident had a significant impact on the town on Friday afternoon, with a number of key routes closing to allow emergency services to safely respond to the fire.

“I would firstly like to thank residents, businesses and those travelling through Burslem for their patience and support while emergency services dealt with the incident.

“Our enquiries are continuing and I appeal to anyone who was in or around the Newcastle Street area at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage, to please check their footage and get in touch with us if you have anything that may assist our enquiries."

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 468 of 2 October, or use Live Chat on our website.

To report information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.