A SPATE of wheelie bin fires in Lowestoft are being treated as 'arson' by police.

Firefighters dealt with four blazes overnight (Monday and Tuesday) and these suspicious fires are now being investigated by police.

'Police have received several reports of wheelie bin fires in recent days and these are being treated as arson,' a police spokesman said.

'There were incidents reported at Church Green at 2.45am on Monday (yesterday) where two industrial sized bins were set alight.'

Police are keen to trace a man who appeared to be putting out the fire. He is described as white and had a Liverpudlian accent - and may have been out metal detecting - and he may have information that can help the investigation.

'A wheelie bin was destroyed by a blaze at Seago Street at 8.20pm on Monday,' a police spokesman said. 'A blue bin was set alight at Beresford Road between 10pm and 10.20pm on Monday and at Beechwood Gardens around 2.20am this morning (Tuesday) two bins were set alight and the fires were put out by residents,' the police spokesman added.

There was also a fire in St Margarets Road, where the contents in an unlocked and disused garage were set alight between 10.30pm and 10.45pm yesterday (Monday).

• Anyone with information about any of the incidents, or who started the fires, should call PC 1233 Rose on 01986 835300.