‘Grass fire yobs put lives at risk’
‘Grass fire yobs put lives at risk’
08 May 2013
published by www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
United Kingdom — FIREFIGHTERS say arsonists behind a spate of grass fires are putting people’s lives at risk.
Crews from Longton Fire Station have tackled seven blazes in the Weston Woods area of Meir in the past 10 weeks.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has also raised concerns about other areas of North Staffordshire.
It is believed groups of children and young adults are responsible for the fires.
Now the service is warning them they could be fined up to £5,000 or even sent to jail.
Crew commander at Longton fire station, Gary Bowcock, said the fires posed a ‘serious threat’ to the lives of other residents.
He said: “We’ve had several calls out to Weston Woods in recent weeks, which is a particularly tricky area as it’s only accessible by foot.
“If a fire has been started obviously we have to get it under control, particularly as with the hot, dry weather we’ve had, fires can spread quickly.
“But it’s a waste of our time and valuable resources to attend these fires that are started deliberately, especially when there could be serious incidents happening elsewhere.
“People are at risk of having to wait for another crew from a different station while we are tackling grass fires.”
Bill Proctor, aged 75, of Leason Road, Meir, regularly takes walks in the woods.
He said: “You do hear about a gang of kids setting fire to trees. These kids might end up having someone’s death on their hands if they carry on.” Julie Carraway, aged 59, from Meir, added: “The schools need to take responsibility and show kids the consequences of their actions.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 146 grass fires in the northern area of the county over the Easter holidays, between March 29 and April 15.
Other hotspots include Baddeley Green, Milton and Norton, which had 15 fires, Chesterton, which had 11, and Great Chell and Packmoor, which had nine.
There were eight fires at Birches Head and Central Forest Park and also eight at Holditch.
The service tends to see an increase in grass fires over the school holidays.
Head of Risk Reduction Glynn Luznyj said: “Young people who start grass fires seem oblivious to the fact that they are endangering their own lives as well as firefighters.
“For every call we receive about a grass fire there could be a person somewhere else desperately trying to get out of a burning building or trapped in a car crash in urgent need of our assistance.
“Our prevention work includes visiting schools and youth clubs and engaging with as many youngsters as possible to warn them of the dangers of grass fires and the devastating effect they have on the environment.”
Donna Broadhead, Prevention Manager for the service’s Northern Service Delivery Group, added: “Young adults convicted of deliberately starting grass fires could receive a prison sentence of up to two years or a maximum fine of £5,000.”
