Emergency services respond to suspected arson on Park Street
Residents were forced from their homes after a fire at a block of flats in Congleton late on Tuesday evening that is now believed to have been started deliberately.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said the alarm was raised just after 8.15pm, prompting a response that included two engines from Cheshire — based in Chester and Nantwich — and an additional crew from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Officers from Cheshire Constabulary also attended the scene on Park Street.
"Firefighters were called to a fire in a ground floor flat in Congleton. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire," a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.
Firefighters carried out a series of standard safety checks after bringing the blaze under control. Those measures included use of a thermal imaging camera to locate and cool hotspots, deployment of a high-pressure fan to clear smoke and checks of the affected flat and neighbouring properties with a gas monitor. The service confirmed that all occupants were safely accounted for.
What emergency crews did at the scene
- Immediate response by three fire engines (Chester, Nantwich and Staffordshire).
- Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
- Thermal imaging camera used to locate hotspots; high-pressure fan used to clear smoke.
- Gas checks performed; all residents accounted for.
Police later described the incident as suspicious and said enquiries are ongoing into the cause. A police spokeswoman confirmed officers attended following reports managed by the fire service and asked witnesses to come forward.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Park Street, Congleton |
| Time alarm raised | Just after 8.15pm |
| Response | Three fire engines (Chester, Nantwich, Staffordshire) and police |
| Current status | Fire extinguished; incident treated as suspected arson; enquiries ongoing |
Anyone who witnessed the event or has information that could assist the investigation is being asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101.
This office will continue to monitor updates from the emergency services and Cheshire Constabulary and will publish further information as it becomes available.
