A 14-year-old boy is being quizzed by police after two deliberate fires on the same street in two days - one of which burned down the clubhouse of a much-loved children’s miniature railway ride.
The child was detained by detectives following consecutive and hugely damaging arsons, last Sunday and Monday, in the Calderstones area.
Just before 8pm, on Sunday, a yob broke into the Calderstones Park headquarters of Merseyside Live Steam and Model Engineers and torched the building.
And just hours later, at 3.25pm, on Monday, a derelict Grade II listed building and former nursing home on Harthill Road was also deliberately set alight.
The fire destroyed everything in the clubhouse.
A crowdfunding campaign was initiated in order to raise money for a rebuild of the premises and in just two days, over £7,000 has been donated.
Today, police confirmed they had arrested a boy, 14, in relation to both incidents.
He is being quizzed on suspicion of two counts of arson with intent to endanger life.
He was released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
Community policing inspector Neil Birkett, of Merseyside Police, said: “A joint investigation is ongoing in relation to both incidents and, despite this arrest, we’re still appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
“These incidents caused a lot of distress locally as well as unnecessary risk and demand on our busy emergency services, and we’ll continue to take action.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, call 101 or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111, quoting references 21000281490 (model railway) and 21000282929 (Beechley Stables).
Model railway club chairman, Arthur Brook said earlier this week: "We have never been treated this badly before.
“They’ve had to cut our electricity supply for safety so until we can get the hut rebuilt they can’t give us back the electricity supply for the trains to work, so it’s all a knock on effect.
“We are a not a profit organisation and we have very little spare money and with Covid, we’ve had a year without any donations so it’s hitting us a bit hard.
“We were starting to get ready to reopen again due to easing of restrictions but now we have had our clubhouse burnt down."
Mr Brook added: "After numerous arson attacks in the area, on Sunday 2nd May the club was targeted by vandals who set fire to the clubhouse containing the tools, equipment, personal belongings and also all the history books and paperwork collected over the years.
"The fire destroyed everything and left the club without power.
"The club runs entirely on donations and the time kindly given by its devoted volunteers ranging from 16 to 86 years old.
"Without your help the club may simply have no choice but to close its doors forever.
"This club not only provides some affordable fun in the park for many family members of all ages but also sanctuary and companionship for its loyal volunteers.
"Please donate what you can to help rebuild our club."
If you wish to donate to the miniature railway Just Giving Page, you can do so HERE
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