ARSON is believed to be the cause of a massive fire which wreaked havoc at Castlefields local Centre on Monday night.
The culprits broke through the insecure boarding on a disused shop unit, formerly a handyman's shop, and laid a fire inside some time after 9pm.
Firefighters from Runcorn arrived at 9.50pm to find smoke pouring from the building. The fire caught, setting the shop well alight.
Reinforcements were called from Widnes Fire Station. A total of 18 crew and four engines attended the blaze.
Fears that the fire would spread into other premises through the central roof void were allayed and the blaze was under control by 11pm.
A Runcorn Fire Brigade spokesman described the fire source as 'malicious ignition.'
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