Residents were forced to flee to safety after yobs carried out an arson attack at a block of flats.
Today police launched a hunt for the culprits who they said had put lives at risk after the frightening scenes on Monday.
The thugs set fire to a wheelie-bin before shoving and leaving the blazing container into a communal area of the flats.
Up to 12 residents are thought to have been evacuated as the fire raged in the ground floor of the flats complex in Redshank Lane in Birchwood.
Fortunately fire-fighters were able to swiftly extinguish the fire and there are no reports of injury as a result of the arson attack which happened around 5.30am yesterday.
Detectives are urging anyone with any information which could aid their investigation to get in touch.
Detective constable Cath Hudson said: “I would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident.
“This act endangered the lives of residents but thankfully, due to the swift action of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, they were evacuated to safety and the fire quickly extinguished."
She added: "“It would appear that the bin had been taken into the communal area from the street outside and we believe that this may have been seen or heard by local residents at the time.
“I would ask anyone who may know those who are responsible or may have seen anything to get in touch.
“The same goes to anyone in the Redshank Lane area around the time of the incident who may have caught CCTV or dashcam footage of the offenders.”
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Anyone with any information or footage that may be able to help with the investigation is asked to call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 quoting IML 878648 or give the information via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report
Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report it via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
