POLICE are investigating reports of youths starting a fire.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Barnes Road in Widnes on Friday night (July 19).

It follows reports that ‘young people’ had set fire to a patch of grass.

One engine, from the Widnes station, was sent to the scene at around 9.30pm and the flames were extinguished.

Police have been made aware and anyone with information is asked to get in touch.

A CFRS spokesperson said: “Crews were called twice to put out a small area of grass believed to have been set alight by young people.

“Police were informed. Anyone with information should call 101.”

It was a busy night for firefighters in Widnes.

At around 6.30pm a crew was called to Upton Rocks park off Queensbury Way to deal with a bin which was on fire

“Firefighters extinguished a bin well alight in a busy park at Upton Rocks,” said the spokesperson.

Then, shortly after 7pm, a crew from the Runcorn station was called to Lanark Gardens in Widnes following reports of a bonfire.

The spokesperson added: “A water backpack was used to put out an unattended bonfire in a wooded area.”

It is not thought that Cheshire Police are investigating these two earlier incidents.