An unknown man was seen hanging around outside an address in Plymouth before a suspected arson attack. Emergency services were called to the scene in North Road West at around 5.55am yesterday (Monday, December 30).
A motorcycle was set on fire before the blaze spread to the front of a house. The flames destroyed the front door and caused damage to guttering and fascia boards but thankfully no-one was injured.
In a recent update this afternoon (December 31), Devon and Cornwall Police said a man with short ginger hair and a beard was outside the house prior to the fire. A member of the public had a very brief chat with him whilst putting out his bins.
After chatting with the member of the public, he entered the garden of the property. He was seen leaving the scene via Melbourne Street as the fire started.
The man is described as a white male, aged around his mid-twenties, roughly 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with short skin fade style ginger hair swept forward on his head, with a short ginger beard. He was wearing black trousers and a black coat with a hood, white trainers and possibly carrying a white plastic bag at the time.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Offices are keen to hear from anybody who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the fire, or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50240325939.”