Police home in second fire attack

Petrol was poured through Councillor Derek Darlington's porch

A policeman's house has been set alight in a suspected arson attack hours after the nearby home of Flintshire Council leader was set on fire.

The officer and his family fled their home in Penymynydd, Mold, just before 0400 BST on Wednesday after their porch was set alight.

The attack was yards from councillor Derek Darlington's home.

North Wales Police said they were keeping an "open mind" as to whether the two attacks were linked.

A spokeswoman has confirmed that both blazes were being treated as suspicious and that the fire at Well House Drive, Penymynydd, on Wednesday, was the home of a serving male constable with the Cheshire force. The family escaped unhurt.

We would urge the public to contact police if they have any information to catch those responsible for these two fires Firefighter Kevin Roberts

Superintendent Nick Snape, of North Wales Police, said: "Incidents of arson of this nature are rare and officers are currently keeping an open mind as to whether the house fire overnight and the fire at a house in Penyffordd the day before are linked.

"Both investigations into the two house fires involve Detectives from across the division.

"Patrols in the area will continue and we urge members of the community to remain vigilant and ask that they report any suspicious behaviour that they may witness any time of the day or night to contact police immediately."

He added: "I would reassure the community that everything possible is being done to bring those responsible for these serious crimes to justice."

Kevin Roberts, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's County Safety Manager for Flintshire, said: "We would urge the public to contact police if they have any information to catch those responsible for these two fires."

The second blaze came just hours after petrol was poured through the front door of Derek Darlington's home in the adjoining village of Penyffordd, early on Tuesday.

A child's car seat among the debris at the scene of the second attack

Fire chiefs said the attack showed a "total disregard for human life".

Mr Darlington, 63, who is receiving treatment for cancer, was not home, but his wife was forced to run from the house as the porch went up in flames.

It is though the attack may have been carried out by a man seen standing outside the property for about 10 minutes early on Tuesday morning.

The council leader has said he has been targeted in the past. He said a car mistakenly thought to be his was set alight, paint has been poured over two other vehicles and his name has appeared in obscene graffiti around the village.

His home has CCTV fitted and tapes have been given to North Wales Police for examination.

You can't help wondering who's going to be next Unnamed resident

One resident from Penyffordd, who did not want to be named, said: "Everyone's in shock round here.

"It's bad enough the first house being attacked, especially with him (Mr Darlington) suffering from cancer.

"But now we've heard this morning about the second fire. If that one's a policeman's house, it makes you think the two might be connected.

Another resident, in nearby Penymynydd, said: "Two attacks in two days is enough to get anyone worried.

"You can't help wondering who's going to be next."

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "We are liaising with our colleagues in north Wales and we will be watching the progress of the investigation."