Police hunting arsonist

Police are hunting an arsonist who caused significant damage to an address on Whitworth Road, Rochdale

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Police are hunting an arsonist who caused significant damage to a family’s home.

At around 2.15am on Tuesday 12 April, a man approached an address on Whitworth Road, Rochdale, and set fire to the front door using an accelerant.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/102306/investigation-launched-after-2am-house-blaze

The fire quickly spread across the front of the property, causing extensive damage to the lounge which will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Fortunately, the family who occupy the house were not in at the time.

The offender is described as white, slim build and between 5ft 6in and 5ft 10in tall. He was wearing a dark-coloured, thigh-length parker jacket with the hood up and a black cap underneath the hood of the coat, jeans and black shoes.

Detective Constable Amie Whitehead said: “We have a couple of CCTV images of the suspect walking away from the house immediately after it was set alight.

“They are not great quality, but you can see he walks away from the house, crosses Jarvis Street and walks along a footpath onto Jepheys Street.

“He then crosses a small car park and grassed area onto Taylor Street before disappearing out of view.

“If you believe you recognise this man, or have any information which may assist our investigation, please call police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference number 120416/0168 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.