CCTV footage is being reviewed after a nine deliberate fires in a Kent town.

Over a three-hour period last night mattresses, rubbish and bins were intentionally ignited in separate attacks across Margate.

Detectives investigating the arson incidents think they are linked and are now asking anyone with information to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to speak with a white male in his 20s with short ginger hair and wearing a khaki jacket.

The first blaze was recorded at 9pm with the spree continuing until midnight.

In one incident a gas pipe in Victoria Road was damaged causing a potential danger to those in the area.

Other incidents include:

• A rubbish fire in the doorway of a building in High Street
• A bin shed fire in Union row
• Garages ignited in Cobbs Place
• A mattress burned in Byron Ave, Booth Place and Alkali Row
• A bin fire in Victoria Road and New Street
• A rubbish fire in Addington Street

Sarah Lane was leaving the Turner Contemporary gallery at around 9.30pm when she witnessed the aftermath of one blaze in Fort Road.

She told KentOnline said: "We saw a huge plume of black smoke coming from behind the seafront buildings.

"We headed up towards Fort Road and saw a fire raging in the area of the Fort Road Yard and a lot of dense black smoke swirling up into the sky and over the seafront.

"After about five minutes a fire truck arrived.

"We then went to find our car and when we drove back past Fort Road about five minutes later, the fire brigade seemed to have managed to put the fire out."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 01843 222289, quoting reference 22-1790, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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