Two teenagers have been sentenced for their part in causing a deliberate fire at a disused building on Barbauld Street in Warrington.
The two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Monday 14 September, where they were both handed a 91-day youth rehabilitation order.
The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had both been found guilty of arson following trial.
The 16-year-old also admitted to three counts of breaching bail conditions and the 15-year-old admitted to two counts of breaching bail conditions.
On Monday 14 April 2025, the two teenage boys, who were 14 and 15 at the time, entered a disused building on Barbauld Street in Warrington town centre at approximately 11.50am.
An hour later, the same boys were captured on CCTV running out of the building. They were also both seen with their hoods up and were wiping their hands on their clothes.
No one else had been seen entering or leaving the building during this period of time.
By 1pm, the building was well alight and the incident had been reported to emergency services. A large-scale emergency response to the fire was needed, with approximately 45 firefighters and 35 police officers attending the scene whilst the incident unfolded.
This incident also caused a number of businesses to temporarily close due to the smoke.
A short time later, police received a phone call from an appropriate adult for the 15-year-old boy, informing police that the child had admitted that it was he and his friend who had started the fire.
In custody, the boys failed to account for their actions and involvement when asked questions regarding the fire, however the 16-year-old told officers that the pair had been out into Warrington town centre during the day and then chosen to go to the building on Barbauld Street to listen to music and talk.
Officers were also told that the pair had been drinking and smoking in the building.
Detective Constable Georgia Wallace said: “These children completely absolved themselves of any wrongdoing and outright denied any involvement in causing a fire of such a magnitude that it completely levelled a three-storey building.
“It goes without saying that a considerable number of police, fire and ambulance resources were diverted to the scene of this avoidable incident, meaning that response times to genuine emergencies will have been considerably effected whilst colleagues worked together to manage the scene unfolding on Barbauld Street.
“Both involved are now the subject of strict conditions as a direct result of their actions and they will be continually monitored by officers over the next three months to ensure they remain on their best behaviour. Any potential breaches of their respective conditions will result in them being taken back into our custody and put before the courts again.”
