Help us to crack down on deliberate fires

Fire chiefs are taking a zero tolerance approach to intentionally-lit blazes this summer - after a report laid bare the extent of the problem.
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Recently-released figues show that last year, between June 29 and August 31, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) fought hundreds of needless fires across the country.

And the majority of those fires were deliberate and reckless – putting pressure on firefighters when genuine emergencies arose and placing lives at risk.

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In Glasgow alone 68 buildings or homes were set alight, while there were 393 deliberate fire set fields an countryside location, fields and gardens.

Fire staff were called out to a futher 300 rubbish fires and 25 blazes at derelict buildings.

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott, director of prevention and protection at SFRS, said they would work closely with police to track down culprits and urged parents, carers and young people to join the battle to slash fire over the school holidays.

He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising because it puts our communities at great risk.

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“Deliberate fires, in particular at areas of grassland and refuse, waste our time and resources and have the potential to delay us from reaching real emergencies - where every single minute counts.

“It absolutely goes without saying that we prefer to prevent fires – not fight fires.

“As a result, our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with the public and promote safety messages in order to keep our communities as safe as possible.

“We would ask parents and carers to help us also by discussing summer fire safety with young people. Together we can work towards a fire free summer.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.