Tag: deliberate fires

Deliberate fires ‘placing lives at risk’

Firefighters in Scotland were called to tackle almost 80 deliberately set fires every single day during Spring last year – more than two thirds than during the same period in 2020.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews were mobilised to a total of 4,287 incidents of deliberate fire-raising between March and April 2021.

The figures have been released to coincide with the launch of the service’s #SpringSafety campaign.

This is an increase of 71 per cent on the year before, when SFRS crews were turned out to 2,493 needless emergency incidents.

The data shows how deliberate fires in Spring last year included 582 in the city of Glasgow (an increase of 54% on 2020) and 337 in Edinburgh (up 71%).

Other notable year-on-year increases included a 209% rise in the Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee area (up from 130 to 402); 94% rise in East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde (up from

188 to 364); and 86% in Falkirk and West Lothian (up from 190 to 354). [See full regional year-on-year breakdown below]

The 4,287 deliberate fires were largely comprised of outdoor incidents impacting fields, refuse, and countryside, but also involved hundreds of building and vehicle fires.

This behaviour could place lives at risk, warned Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry, Head of Prevention and Protection for SFRS.

DACO Perry said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fire-raising and it is a small minority of individuals who are potentially putting themselves, our firefighters and innocent bystanders at risk of serious harm and injury.

“Make no mistake – fire can cause injury and death, it can be devastating to properties, businesses and the environment.

“Last year, we witnessed a shocking rise in deliberate fire-raising during the Spring period.  The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable.

“These incidents are a needless drain on our resources and can impact on our response to genuine emergencies.”

DACO Perry warned that the SFRS will continue to do everything in its power to help Police Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities across Scotland. He said: “It absolutely goes without saying that we want to prevent fires – not fight fires.

“As a result, our firefighters work extremely hard to engage with the public and promote safety messages, and parents, guardians and carers can also help by making sure that children and young people are aware of the risks.

“But let me be very clear – we operate a strict zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire-raising. It is a criminal offence and can have devastating consequences.

“We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to provide evidence that will ensure those responsible are identified and held to account for their actions.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

https://youtu.be/Nbnbwb0WVTI

Young people can also contact Fearless – a reporting line for young people who have their own concerns which is completely anonymous.

Fearless: https://www.fearless.org/en

More information is available at: 

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/outdoors/deliberate-fires/

Another weekend, another deliberate fire in Drylaw

There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.

This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.

It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:

‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.

‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.

‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:

  1. The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th
    September 2021.
  2. Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  3. Message this page and we can forward information

‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’

Investigations are ongoing.

Further fire incidents in North Edinburgh

Second weekend of arson attacks in local area

Police are appealing for information following a number of fires in West Pilton in the early hours of Saturday morning.

At around 1.40am on Saturday, 25 September, officers received reports of bins on fire on Jansch Place, Inchcolm Court and West Pilton Grove.

The fires are being treated as suspicious and no-one was injured.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Costorphine CID, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of these fires.

“Enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information, or who may have seen any suspicious activity on these streets, to please come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0436 of 25 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

The latest fires follows similar incidents last weekend in Drylaw and Pilton on 18 September – these also took place in the early hours of the morning.

One third reduction in deliberate fire-raising incidents

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says there is no room for complacency

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised firefighters to a total of 2,491 incidents of deliberate fire-raising between March and April 2020 compared to 3,658 incidents in 2019 – a 32 per cent reduction.

The figures were released as the Service launches its annual Spring Safety campaign.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry, SFRS Head of Prevention and Protection said: “While any reduction in the number of deliberate fires is welcomed, we simply cannot be complacent.

“Deliberate fires have the potential to cause injury and even death or cause devastating damage to our environment and properties.

“One deliberate fire is one too many – they are a needless drain on emergency service resources at a difficult time.”

The data shows how deliberate fires in Spring last year included 379 in the city of Glasgow (a decrease of 42%) 329 in North Lanarkshire (a decrease of 41%) and East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire 188 (decrease of 43%).

Most reported fires took place outdoors and were set in either grassland or rubbish and refuse, however some incidents also included vehicles and even buildings.

The significant reduction also coincided with Scotland’s first Covid-19 lockdown which introduced restrictions on movement which continue into Spring 2021.

DACO Perry said: “Last year we saw restrictions put in place on social movement, and this year is no different as we continue to tackle this pandemic.

“As well as limits on how far people can travel, we also know that schools, clubs and community groups are affected or unable to open due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Our firefighters and community action teams have been and will continue to work extremely hard to engage with the public and promote safety messages.

“But as we cannot conduct school visits or engage with young people directly through clubs and groups, I would ask parents, guardians and carers to help by making sure that children and young people are aware of the risks and consequences of deliberate fire setting.

“It is vital we continue to remind people that deliberate fire setting is a crime and a criminal record can affect future life and job opportunities – a price that can be easily avoided.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

Five deliberate fires started EVERY SINGLE DAY in Edinburgh

Firefighters in Edinburgh were called to tackle five deliberate fires EVERY SINGLE DAY during Spring last year – double the number than during the same period in 2018.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were mobilised to a total of 258 incidents of deliberate fire-raising within the Scottish capital between March and April 2019.

This is an increase of 100 per cent on the year before, when SFRS crews in Edinburgh were turned out to 128 needless blazes during the same period.

These fires were largely comprised of outdoor incidents impacting grasslands and refuse, but also included building and vehicle fires.

This “shocking” rise in is placing lives at risk, warned SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart.

ACO Haggart said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting and it is a small minority of individuals who are potentially putting themselves, our firefighters and innocent bystanders at risk of serious harm and injury.

“Make no mistake – fire can cause injury and death, it can be devastating to properties, businesses and the environment.

“Last year, witnessed a shocking rise in deliberate fire-raising during the Spring period.

“These incidents are a needless drain on our resources and can impact on our response to genuine emergencies – where lives might very well be at risk.

“The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable.

ACO Haggart was speaking as Scotland’s national fire and rescue services launched its #SpringSafety campaign. Across Scotland, the SFRS recorded a staggering 3,658 incidents of deliberate fire-raising during Spring last year – an increase of 97 per cent.

ACO Haggart warned that the SFRS will continue to do everything in its power to help Police Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities across Scotland.

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

“But let me be very clear – we operate a strict zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising. It is reckless, selfish, and can have devastating consequences.

“We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to provide evidence that will ensure those responsible are identified and held to account for their actions.

“It is vital that we continue to remind people that deliberate fire setting is a crime and that a criminal record can affect future life and job opportunities – a price that can be easily avoided.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

SFRS warn about deliberate fires this Autumn

Firefighters were drafted to more than two thousand deliberate fires during last year’s Bonfire season, latest figures reveal. The statistics show that crews responded to 1214 secondary fires – such as bonfires – as well as 748 refuse fires between October 13 and November 6, 2017.

This is an overall reduction of 421 from 2016 but Assistant Chief Officer David McGown branded those responsible as “reckless” and told how they put communities at risk.

He spoke out to warn that firefighters will work closely with Police Scotland and Crimestoppers.

But he also appealed to parents, carers and young people to follow advice to stay safe this Bonfire season including attending organised fireworks displays.

ACO McGown is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Prevention and Protection. 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.

“It presents a danger to life, property and the environment – indeed, it is reckless in the extreme because we see all too clearly the loss and the devastation that can result from fire.

“I am pleased to note a reduction in the amount of deliberate incidents we attended last year but we can never be complacent and we will always work to prevent them from happening in the first place by outlining the very real dangers and the stark consequences.

“We will continue to work closely with our police and local authority partners to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with accordingly. This behaviour from a very small minority within our communities cannot and indeed will not be tolerated.”

The experienced firefighter also reached out to communities to follow safety advice.

He added: “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 people of all ages and equip them with the knowledge and the awareness of how to stay safe and this includes around bonfires and fireworks – but we would prefer everyone to attend organised displays.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

For advice on how to stay safe during Bonfire Night, visit –  https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/bonfire-safety.aspx 

and on fireworks safety visit – https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx

For organised displays visit: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/1326540/organised_fireworks_events_2018_v1_20181008.pdf

 

Fire and Rescue Service launches Spring safety campaign

Firefighters responded to over 2,700 deliberate fires across Scotland in the space of just two months, figures reveal. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews dealt with a total of 2,782 such blazes across the country between March and April 2017 – and there were 2,830 deliberate fires over the same period the previous year. Continue reading Fire and Rescue Service launches Spring safety campaign