by Keyan Milanian

A spate of suspicious fires in Chatham are being investigated by police.

In the last month the area around Hilda Road and Otway Street has suffered at least four suspicious fires with three reported to police for further investigation.

The deliberate fires are believed to have started on Sunday, September 6 when a shed was burnt down in Otway Street.

The next incident firefighters dealt with was on Tuesday, September 8, when a former cobbler’s shop was destroyed in Hilda Road.

The following week, in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, a serious fire at a terraced house in Otway Street left it completely burnt out.

A man was arrested and later bailed.

Speaking at the time, mum of three Sharne Mulley, said: “We have had a number of fires round here recently and I thought someone had set the alley on fire but I looked out of the window and I could just see a blaze.

“The shed in the garden was set alight last week, it does make me worried, especially having three children.”

The latest incident was reported on Monday, September 28 when another shed was destroyed in Hilda Road.

Although police said the incidents were not as yet being linked, Det Insp Geoff Payne said: “During September there have been three separate fires reported to police in this area of Chatham that are currently under investigation.

“A 22 year old man was arrested in connection with the house fire on Otway Street and is currently on bail until November 23. We are speaking with the local community and investigating all of these fires to establish if there are any connections.”

Kent fire and rescue service head of community safety, Stuart Skilton, said: “Not only does deliberate fire setting have an impact on the environment and community in which we all live and work, it also has the potential to divert valuable firefighting resources away from other incidents such as house fires or road traffic collisions where lives may be in danger.”

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to contact Kent Police in Medway on 01634 891055 or Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.