16 Aug 2011

Home of suspected Manchester arsonist is ‘torched’

The home of a man accused of setting fire to Miss Selfridge during last week’s riots in Manchester is damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Damage in Manchester after the riots (Getty)

Detectives are investigating the fire at the address of 18-year-old Dane Williamson, who is currently in custody over the damage caused to the shop in Market Street, Manchester.

Firefighters were called to The Gateway Apartments in Broughton Road, Salford, in the early hours yesterday and doused the blaze in the bedroom of the boarded-up flat.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “At about 12.30am on Monday, police were called to a flat on Broughton Road, Salford, following reports of a fire at a flat.

“No-one was injured.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed at this stage to be deliberate.”

Mr Williamson is due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing over a charge that he caused criminal damage being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He claims he is a victim of mistaken identity.

Stock valued at #319,000 was ruined by the blaze in the city centre last Tuesday.