Appeal for information following suspected arson of van in Formby

Merseyside Police are appealing for information following the suspected arson of a van in Formby last night, Monday 15 April. A spokesman from Merseyside Police said: "At around 10.30pm, emergency services were called to Liverpool Road, to the rear of the Royal Hotel, to reports of a Vauxhall Vivaro van on fire." "The fire was extinguished by MFRS and investigators have assessed that it is believed to have been started deliberately." "Nobody was in the vehicle but a man in the area was treated for smoke inhalation by ambulance staff at the scene. The van was recovered for forensic enquiries."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue said: "Crews were alerted at 10.22pm and on scene at 10.28pm. One fire engine attended. On arrival crews found a van on fire in the rear car park of the Royal Hotel. Crews used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Crews left the scene at 00.04am. Merseyside Police was also in attendance."

CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and anyone with information, or may have captured any information on dashcam or CCTV, is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 19100181019 or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.