A live-streamed video led police to arrest three men on suspicion of torching a car and dealing drugs.
Cheshire Police said patrols encountered a Kia Picanto ablaze on Hale Road at 2.57am on Wednesday morning. Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the flames.
A force spokeswoman said officers were made aware of a live-stream video being broadcast on social media. After watching the footage, they gained entry to a property on Montgomery Road.
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Police arrested two men aged 19 and 24, and a boy aged 17, all from Widnes and all on suspicion of arson and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, namely cannabis.
The 19-year-old was further arrested for criminal damage.
They remained in custody being questioned by officers at time of writing on Wednesday.
A picture of the car posted on the Broadheath Police page on Facebook showed the damaged Picanto.
Inspector Rob McLoughlin, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “At this current time this appears to be a deliberate act that is believed to have been done wholly for the purpose of hits on social media.
“There was no regard for the safety of the local community or the owner of the vehicle.
“Thankfully as a result of the work of quick-thinking local officers, we have been able to identify three suspects in relation to the incident and they are currently being held in custody.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Cheshire Police via cheshire.police.uk quoting IML 1361109 or call 101.
A car was also destroyed by fire on The Copse in Palacefields, Runcorn, at 3.41pm.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was "totally destroyed".
Officials have not stated any suspected link between the incidents.
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