Couple badly burned after tent ‘set alight’

A 42-year-old woman and 32-year-old man suffered serious burns after the tent they were in on a grassed area off College Road, between Rowland Place, St James Street and Trafford Way, caught on fire shortly after 11.45pm.

They were both also reportedly assaulted by a man, or group of men, when they got out of the tent, and were today being treated at a burns unit where they were both said to be in a stable condition.

A small group of men were reportedly in the location at the time it happened and police are particularly interested in a white transit van that was also seen in the area.

Police are treating the incident as suspicious and would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who could help with their enquiries.

A neighbouring tent, containing a 21-year-old man, was also set alight but the man escaped with minor burns to his hand.

Witnesses should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 42 of 18 August 2015. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.