Firefighters in Sutton believe a spate of recent fires have been started deliberately.

Crews were called to a block of flats in Thicket Road at about 5am today, to a fire started in a brick-built bin area - the second night in a row they were called to the street.

Steve Mills, white watch crew manager at Sutton fire station, said there had been numerous reports of fires started in bins, vans and residential hallways in a little over a month. Mr Mills said: "The fire was started deliberately in the bin area down by the back of the flats.

"Luckily a resident returning home saw smoke and called us and we put it out quickly.

"We went to the same road the previous evening.

"We've had at least half a dozen in this area in the past month or so.

"We have made police aware."

Anyone with information should call police on 101.