Is there an arsonist on the loose in Medway?

A spate of fires throughout Medway in recent weeks has left many people wondering if we have a serial arsonist at large.

Kent Police have launched an appeal for information. Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Geoff Payne said:"The fires are believed to be suspicious but at this stage we are not treating the fires as linked."

Superintendent Rachel Adams added, "I can understand that having these incidents occur in such a short period of time could give rise to concerns.  However, I would like to reassure local residents that we are working closely with Kent Fire and Rescue Service to establish the circumstances of each fire and whether any criminal offences have been committed. We will also be increasing the number of officers on patrol in these areas to increase our visible presence.

"We treat all fires seriously and our priority is to keep people safe and to prevent further incidents.  It is worth noting that the number of fires across Medway in recent weeks is no higher than we would expect or than other areas are experiencing, although of course we are working alongside KFRS to reduce this number further."

If you can assist in any way, Kent Police can be contacted on 01622 690690 or vi Crimestoppers on 0800 5551111

Locations of the four bank holiday weekend fires are as follows:

Saturday 27 August at a disused restaurant on Rochester High Street, shortly before 10.30pm.

Sunday 28 August on Fort Pitt Street, Chatham. The fire was reported to police at 12.38am.

Sunday 28 August at a derelict building on Corporation Street, Rochester at 10.30pm.

Tuesday 30 August at approximately 11pm, a fourth fire occurred on Vicarage Lane, Strood.

However, prior to these fires, there have been others in and around Rochester during August:

Wednesday 24th August at a large barn in West Lane on the Isle of Grain, when crews were called just after 10pm. This had the additional worry of an asbestos roof too, so the neighbouring community were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Tuesday 24th August off Gravel Walk, Rochester, in the stairwell of flats, with 13 people needed rescuing, just after midnight.

Monday 22nd August at at house in Hoath Lane, Rainham, in the early hours.

Tuesday 16th August at a house fire in Milton Road, Cliffe Woods, again in the early hours.

And just the day before, in the early morning of Monday 15th August, the disused St.Mary's Church, opposite Fort Amherst in Chatham, was set alight, destroying the roof of an adjoining building and leaving the church with smoke damage.

While Kent Fire and Rescue say there are no more than normal, August seems to have been particularly fraught, if you consider there were just three fires across Medway in July, according to their own stats.

So let's be careful out there, if it's not an arsonist then people are being very careless. Make sure you're home is fitted with a smoke alarm - they cost, ironically, less than a packet of cigarettes these days, so there's no excuse. And if you do have any information on any of the above fires, please do let Kent Police or Fire Service know via the above numbers.