FIREBUGS went on an arson spree which threatened to cripple electricity supplies to Widnes's main shopping area.
On Thursday a total of 10 trade waste bins behind shops in the town centre were torched and one blaze was only minutes away from gutting an electricity substation supplying power to shops in Albert Square.
Firefighters say the string of malicious ignitions were carried out on the day that the GCSE results were released and show their fire safety message is not getting through.
They claim huge numbers of youths descended on Widnes town centre that evening to celebrate.
Police are likely to scrutinise CCTV footage in a bid to bring the culprits to book and witnesses are urged to get in touch.
Three of the blazes were sparked within 45 minutes at
9.46pm, 10.09pm and 10.28pm. And officers at Widnes fire station are furious that two of their fire engines and crews were tied up in the town centre for most of the evening, meaning emergency cover for other parts of the town was severely compromised.
Town centre traders are also being told to ensure that bin cages designed to keep arsonists at bay are securely locked as on the night many were left open.
A spokesman at Widnes fire station said: 'It might be a good laugh for whoever has done this, but this is a very serious situation.
'One of the fires was near to an electricity supply transformer station. Fortunately, we got there in time and managed to put out the fire before it took hold. In the event the door was badly charred.'
Wheelie bins, rubbish and grass were torched throughout the rest of the week.
Paul McGugan, commander of Widnes fire station claims the fire service's recent attempts to 'engage' with youths through talks at schools and 'diversionary activities' are not working and the message that lives are being put at risk is not sinking in.
In recent weeks a science block at Fairfield High School was gutted, causing more than £100,000 worth of damage.
