A BARNSLEY man has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks in which burning rags were shoved through letterboxes in Whitby.
The 39-year-old has been released on bail as enquiries continue.
Police said a holiday home was set on fire at about 4.30am, which is thought to have been started in the letterbox. The two occupants were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
Around 45 minutes later, the occupant of another property reported that a burning rag had been pushed through the letterbox. While they were there, officers spotted a fire at another property in the same street where a plastic bin had been pushed against the back door and set alight causing extensive damage.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said enquiries into all five incidents were ongoing and anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police and ask for Scarborough Serious Crime Team.
