Residents urged to leave before attack

WOMAN 'HEARD A POP' BEFORE SEEING GARDEN ABLAZE

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

FURTHER suspected targeted arson attacks have shaken neighbourhoods across Stockton, with some residents even being forewarned to leave their homes.

Police advised people living on Windmill Terrace in Tilery on Monday night to leave their homes prior to a 'petrol bomb' attack.

One neighbour, who stayed in her home, told The Gazette she heard “a pop” before looking out to see the neighbouring garden alight.

Earlier in the night, a car was reportedly petrol-bombed at Piper Knowle Road in the Hardwick area of the town.

Three other similar incidents on the same night are being investigated by police, which the force says are also believed to have been targeted and involved the use of accelerants.

Those occurred at Heaton Road in Billingham and Trefoil Court and Newton Walk in Norton.

It comes after the previous night saw numerous fires in areas of the town which police believe were linked.

Four people, including a 15-year-old boy, have been arrested in connection with those incidents.