TWO men have been arrested after a number of suspicious fire were started in Whitby in the early hours of Sunday morning.

North Yorkshire Police are investigating five incidents between 2.45am and 6.20pm on Sunday, April 26 at various locations around Whitby.

At around 2.45am police were called after a beige Mercedes car was set alight on Spring Hill Court, followed by a large bin fire next to a residential property in Station Square at around 4.10am.

Around 20 minutes later a holiday home was set on fire on Pier Lane and officers believe the fire was started in the letter box. The holidaymakers, a couple from Bolton, were taken to Scarborough Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and have since been discharged.

At around 5.15am the occupant of a property on Cliff Street reported that a burning rag had been pushed through her door.

While North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue crews were in the area they spotted a fire at another property on Cliff Street. A plastic bin had been pushed against the back door and set alight causing extensive damage.

Fortunately, the fire service were able to get the elderly occupants out of the building quickly, who were taken to Scarborough Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Officers have arrested a 39-year-old man from Barnsley and a 23-year-old local woman in connection with the incidents. They remain in police custody for questioning.

Enquiries into all five incidents remain ongoing and the police are appealing to any witnesses or anyone with information that can help the investigation to come forward.

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for Scarborough Serious Crime Team, or Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.