Firefighters made a late night call to fit anti-arson mailboxes to properties in west Cumbria.

The crew, from Workington fire station, were contacted by police at shortly before midnight on Sunday and asked to help.

A spokesman for the station said firefighters spent about two hours fitting the specialist devices to two properties in Great Clifton, in a bid to protect the occupants from potential risk to their homes and lives.

He told the News & Star: “An anti-arson mailbox is fitted on the front and back of a letter box.

“From the front it stops someone putting anything large and cumbersome through it.

“On the back it has a fire-proof bag which is flame retardant and will catch and seal anything flammable which is put through the letter box, preventing fire spreading through the property.”

Cumbria Police confirmed it was called at 2.45pm on Sunday to William Street, in Great Clifton, following a report of an assault.

“A man in his fifties suffered a minor leg injury in the incident, after allegedly being struck with a metal object,” a spokesman said.

“The man did not require hospital treatment.”

A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and wounding with intent.

He was last night still being questioned by police.

The spokesman continued: “Whilst an arrest has been made, officers are continuing to investigate and make enquiries.

“The investigation involves the alleged making of threats and, as a precautionary measure, Cumbria fire and rescue has taken steps to improve the safety of some residents.”

He appealed for anyone with information about the incident on Sunday afternoon, or who was in the area at the time, to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 152 of November 11.Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.