POLICE closed off a residential street following a ‘deliberate’ fire this afternoon, Thursday.

Cheshire Police was called to Birdwell Drive in Great Sankey, along with crews from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Two fire engines from Penketh and Warrington fire stations rushed to the scene following reports of a garden fence and tree on fire at 2.56pm.

On arrival, firefighters found that a fence and tree in close proximity to an electrical substation were on fire, which also involved two cylinders.

The fire affected property, and those adjacent were evacuated as firefighters tackled the blaze.

A fire service spokesman confirmed: “The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.

“The road was closed by police while the crews were putting out the fire, and there were no apparent issues of fire spread to the substation.”