A fire has damaged the Frank Sidebottom Statue in Timperley village.
The life-sized bronze statue, which was unveiled as a tribute to the cult comedy character in October 2013, was seen ablaze at around 4.30am this morning.
One fire crew from Altrincham station attended the scene on Stockport Road and quickly put the fire out, but this morning the statue showed signs of fire and smoke damage around the head area in particular.
There was also a charred area by the statue’s feet.
Fans had raised £60,000 to have the statue created three years after the death of Frank Sidebottom’s creator, musician and comedian Chris Sievey.
One witness who saw the statue on fire said it looked as if it had been started “100% deliberately”.
Neil Taylor, who coordinated the fundraising campaign for the statue, said this morning: “Thankfully most people have shown love and respect for the status that has now become a well-known landmark, and no major damage has been done.”
