A FIRE that ripped through the roof space and first floor of a derelict timber framed building in Northwich on Saturday afternoon has not been ruled out as the work of arsonists.
The blaze at Moore and Brocks' former offices in Baron's Quay took place just a week after a devastating fire, also being treated as arson, wrecked the former Manweb building in Locke Street.
Two crews from Northwich and one from Winsford were needed to bring the latest blaze under control after it was spotted at around 3.45pm.
An aerial platform was also brought over from Chester to assist the operation.
Saturday's inferno is the fourth blaze in a derelict building blaze in Northwich in three weeks.
Steve Burrage, sub officer at Northwich Fire Station, said: 'The cause of the fire is under investigation.'
Salvation Army officer Martin Jones has already said homeless people should not be blamed for starting fires, after the finger was pointed at them after last week's blaze. He said: 'Rough sleepers aim to avoid attention as much as possible. By burning buildings down they draw attention to themselves and destroy accessible, weather proof buildings.
'The idea they're doing it makes no sense to me.'
