Police are urging residents not to stand their wheelie bins against their properties following a series of potentially lethal fires on a Cheetham Hill street in Manchester.

Shortly after 3.30am on Saturday 31 October 2009, police were called to a flat on Merridge Walk following a report of a fire.

Officers and the Fire Service attended, and found that a wheelie bin had been set alight causing damage to the house.

A man was taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

The incident follows two other fires, one at about 9.30pm on Thursday 29 October and the other at about 12.40am on Friday 30 October.

On each occasion, bins were set on fire, damage was caused to the front of the properties and residents had to be rescued from their first floor windows to get out.

One of these victims was a woman who is nine months pregnant.

While the police are appealing for information to assist their inquiries into these arson attacks, residents in the area are being advised on how best to protect themselves.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: "We are appealing to anyone in the local area who saw any suspicious behaviour on this street to call us immediately; any information will greatly assist our inquiries.

"Those responsible probably don't appreciate the havoc and alarm these events have caused local residents. It may seem trivial fun for them to set fire to bins, but their actions could easily have devastating consequences.

"Residents are also being asked to store their bins in a secure cupboard whenever they are not being emptied, or at the very least keep them away from the walls of their homes.

"At this time of year offences like this happen more regularly but we are working hard with the Fire Service and local communities to ensure that people's lives are best protected."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3540 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.