Fire crews fear arsonist stalker

A serial arsonist is believed to be stalking fire crews on their way to 999 calls in Willenhall - before starting blazes nearby, it was revealed today.

The alert comes after a spate of blazes in the past few months.

Police were today investigating up to eight arson attacks each week in the area, believed to be the work of a single person across Bentley and Willenhall over the last three to four months.

Streets targeted have included Bloxwich Road South along with St Anne's Road.

Firefighters were called to a bin fire at Poplar Avenue, Bentley, at around 9.40pm last night and while dealing with that they were alerted to a similar blaze in nearby Langmead Close.

This time the fire had spread to a hedge and crews from Willenhall had to stop it from spreading to the pro-perty. In this case witnesses saw a hooded person pushing a bin around beforehand.

Watch commander Andy Morgan from Willenhall fire station, said: "We would ask people to ensure they keep their bins away from houses."

Police are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call police at Walsall on 0845 113 5000.