FIREFIGHTERS say it is unlikely there is a serial arsonist on the loose in Warrington despite a spate of incidents across town.

This month crews have been called out to blazes at the derelict Bay Horse pub next to Central Station, Aldi supermarket in Crosfield Street, McDonald's restaurants on Riverside Retail Park and Winwick Road, Chester College Warrington Campus and ADY Pallets in Antrim Road.

And the large number of attacks on company buildings has led to speculation in the town that one person is to blame.

But sub-officer Mark Kerry, at Warrington fire station, said: "There most probably isn't one person responsible for all these fires.

"In some cases a different method has been used to start the blaze. For example, I think it was petrol that started the fire at Aldi, while at McDonald's on Riverside the bins were set on fire."

However, three of the fires took place within two days of each other. The McDonald's restaurants were both attacked on Thursday, August 21, and North Cheshire College a day later.

Less than a week earlier, six fire engines had to be called to the blaze at Aldi, which gutted the building. In this incident, a 25-year-old Warrington firefighter had to be taken to hospital with injuries to his leg.

Police officers confirmed that they are investigating the fires but said that at this stage they could not confirm whether or not any of the incidents were connected.