Merseyside Police have appealed for information after a man deliberately set fire to the front door of a house on Warrenhouse Road in Kirkby shortly before midnight on 21 January 2026. The occupants were not injured and the fire was quickly extinguished; investigators have described the incident as a “targeted attack” in briefing materials.\n\nWitnesses and police said a man wearing a green hoodie and dark trousers was seen carrying a small blue plastic bag shortly before the door was set alight. Investigators say the bag may have contained materials used to start the fire.\n\nMerseyside Police, working jointly with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said CCTV and witness enquiries are under way and have asked anyone with doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. Detective Inspector Steve Byrom said: “Thankfully the fire was quickly extinguished, and the occupants were not injured. The investigation is in the early stages and extensive enquiries are being carried out. I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity at around midnight onwards and noticed a male matching the description and acting suspicious to please contact us.”\n\nThe incident comes amid heightened policing attention in Kirkby’s Northwood area following a series of violent disputes during 2025. Local StreetCheck data and policing briefings note that the ward has experienced higher-than-average levels of criminal damage and arson in recent years.\n\nAnyone with footage or information should contact Merseyside Police via 101 or report online via the force’s website. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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