A SPATE of overnight attacks across a Wrexham estate has seen a joint investigation launched.

North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are investigating eight deliberate fires in Wrexham during the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday, August 28) morning.

In the first incident at around 12am two vehicles were set on fire in Colwyn Road and a grass fire was reported next to the church on Smithfield Road.

At about 1.15am a bin was set on fire in Holt Road which caused damage to the BT communication box. Then shortly after 1.30am a minibus parked outside Ysgol Morgan Llwyd on Cefn Road was set alight.

The temporary traffic lights on Garner Road / Wynnstay Avenue were targeted at about 1.45am, a grass fire on Gwenfro was reported shortly before 3am and officers were called to Wrexham Rugby Club on Bryn Estyn Road at 6.30am.

Wrexham town inspector, Vic Powell said: “We believe all these incidents are linked and that someone in the community of Caia Park knows who is responsible.

“Setting deliberate fires is an extremely dangerous and reckless thing to do, not only does it pose a risk to life it is also a waste of emergency service resources.

The damaged communications box in Hold Road.

“We are appealing to the community for any information that will assist us with our investigation."

Tim Owen, arson reduction manager, added: “Deliberate fire setting incidents put extra pressure on fire and rescue resources and place crews and the public at extra risk.

“Deliberate fires are a serious form of anti-social behaviour with potentially lethal consequences and we are working closely with the police and other partner agencies in the area to try and tackle the problem.”

If anyone has information about the incidents or those who may be responsible, please contact North Wales Police via www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx quoting reference W122239.

Caretaker Philip Rondel, who lives on Colwyn Road, was the victim who had two cars belonging to him set alight, including one he only bought a few weeks ago.

Speaking of his anger at the arson attack, he said: “It happened about 12am Sunday into Monday.

“My neighbour across the road saw his outside light on, looked out the window and saw the two cars on fire.

“He knocked on my window and went over with a fire extinguisher to stop it spreading to another car.

“While the police were there they had a call, there had been another fire started on a patch of grass in Smithfield, and apparently ones in Maesydre, Holt Road and Spring Lodge as well.

“My cars are a Toyota Avensis, which I’ve had for 17 years, and a Kia Seconda which I bought for £995. I’ve only had it five weeks.

“The police seem pretty sure who is responsible, that they are teenagers.

“My question is what are their parents doing, why don’t they know where they are at that time in the morning - do they even care?”

A spokesman for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We sent one hose and used one breathing apparatus and believe the cause of the fire to have been deliberate ignition.”