12:00pm Saturday 27th September 2008
By Jane Bruccoleri
Fire officers and police are hunting arsonists who have set fire to a garden in New Malden twice in two months.
Two fire engines were called to a residential property in Queen's Road in New Malden shortly after midnight after a number of fires were "deliberately started" in the back garden.
Officers said stacks of wood piled alongside a garden shed had been set alight in various locations.
A similar incident occurred at the same address just two months previously, they said.
The brigade was alerted to the scene by a neighbour in George Road who spotted the flames. Police also attended.
Blue Watch station manager Steve Preston said: "This was done at night when people could have been asleep. This fire could have spread to the house which is why again we have to stress the importance of people having a smoke alarm."
He said the arson task force is investigating the incidents.
If you have any information about the fires, call the police or New Malden fire station on 020 8555 1200 ext 84557.
New Malden fire station offers free home fire safety checks. Call 08000 284 428 for more information.
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