Man nicknamed 'Chico' may hold clue to suspicious fires: Netherfield
(NG4 - Thursday, 3 November, 2011)

Police are trying to trace a man who was seen near the scene of a warehouse fire in Netherfield on Thursday 20 October.

CCTV showed the man, who is of Asian or Eastern-European appearance, getting out of a taxi in Moor Street at around 3.50am after catching a taxi from Carlton Hill.

Twenty minutes later a warehouse - a former church building - off Moor Street was set alight, causing significant damage.

Stills of the CCTV footage have been released as police believe the man, who told the taxi driver his nickname is ‘Chico', could hold vital information about the fire.

Sgt Carol Adams de Bank, who is investigating the incident, said:

"We know this man was in the area around the time the fire started.

"He may well have witnessed someone acting suspiciously and could hold the key to us finding the person responsible.

"I'm appealing to this man to come forward and also to other people who may recognise who he is."

The dark-haired man had facial hair and was wearing a light jacket with dark trousers.

No one was injured in the fire and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the flames.

It's the fourth malicious fire in Netherfield since June.

ABC Flooring, in Moor Street, was set alight at around 3.30am on 24 June, and conifers in Kappler Close were also set on fire at around the same time that night.

A rubbish fire was also reported in Victoria Road, at around 2.30am on 3 September.

Nottinghamshire Police has been working very closely with its partners to find those responsible for the fires.

Police are treating the incidents as crimes and currently believe them to be linked.

A fire in at a woodyard just off Victoria Road at around 8.50pm on 23 August cannot be confirmed as arson due to fire damage.

Sgt Adams de Bank said:

"A problem-solving group has been formed to address the issue, which is made up of representatives from Nottinghamshire Police, Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"The group has reviewed each incident and continues to carry out extensive enquiries, including trawling though hours of CCTV footage and speaking to residents.

"A new system has also been agreed where the Fire Station manager automatically calls a meeting with partners every time a malicious fire is reported in the area.

"This will ensure we tackle incidents quickly and efficiently.

"Police also attended a recent Neighbourhood Watch meeting, where they discussed the incidents with residents.

"We are committed to finding the person or people behind these attacks and I would urge anyone with information to come forward and tell us what you know."

Anyone who recognises the man in the pictures, or has any information about the fires, should contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: Nottinghamshire

Address:
Moor Street
Netherfield
Nottingham
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
NG4