INVESTIGATIONS are under way after fires were deliberately started at three homes in Spalding and Holbeach in less than 24 hours.
The fires, which are not connected, resulted in residents being evacuated from their homes, one man being rescued from the first floor of a house and a police plea for witnesses.
Police say the most recent in Chaucer’s Way, Spalding – which was started while the owner was out – has caused concern among the community.
Emergency services were called out to the detached house just after 7.05pm on Thursday.
Firefighters said the blaze caused severe damage to the kitchen and dining room, and the rest of the property was smoke damaged.
DS Jen Lovatt, from Spalding CID, said: “The fire at this property is being treated as a deliberate ignition and, whilst arson attacks on domestic properties are very rare, this incident has naturally caused concern in the local community.”
The fire was extinguished by two crews from Spalding and a pump from Holbeach using two hose reel jets and four sets of breathing apparatus.
In the early hours of the same day, fire crews were also called out to Albert Walk, Holbeach, and Lansdowne Court, Spalding.
A 20-year-old man had to be rescued from the first floor of a three-storey house in Albert Walk just before 1am.
Crews from Holbeach, Spalding and Long Sutton helped to give him oxygen before he was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, by ambulance.
The man remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The fire resulted in damage to a first floor living room and a garage.
The fire was extinguished using one hose reel jet and two sets of breathing apparatus.
Ten minutes after the call to Holbeach, a number of residents in flats in Lansdowne Court in Spalding had to be evacuated.
A Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said a fire in one of the flats caused severe damage to a sofa, curtains and a section of carpet.
There was also heat damage to a windowsill and frame, and smoke damage to the rest of the flat.
The fire was extinguished using one hose reel and two sets of breathing apparatus.
A 13-year-old girl has since been charged with arson with the intent to endanger life. She has been bailed to appear before Spalding Youth Court on February 1.
l Anyone who was around Chaucer’s Way between 1pm and 7.30pm on Thursday and may have seen something suspicious should call Lincolnshire Police on 101.