Dumfries and Galloway Police Department and the Local Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are concerned about a recent spate of deleberate fires that have been causing damage in several locations across the region. Setting a fire on purpose could put someone’s life at risk and impact on every community.
In a recent post on Facebook SFRS issued information about how you can prevent deliberate fires where you live, and help to keep your community safe.
The post stated “Deliberately set fires are dangerous; they waste time and money, and keep our crews away from real emergencies. Last year, Scottish firefighters attended around 20,000 deliberately set fires in bins, skips, fly tipped waste, derelict buildings, dry grass and heathland.
Each year we attend between 10,000 and 11,000 fires involving refuse and rubbish.
A massive 90% of these fires are due to deliberate fire-setting, the majority of which are due to reckless and irresponsible behaviour, often by children and young people. Make sure you are aware of where the children or young people you look after are, especially during lockdown – and what they’re doing. And that they are aware of the risks of playing with fire and the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.
Fire setting can result in injury, property damage and environmental pollution. In the spring and summer months, deliberately set grass or heathland fires can quickly spread out of control, putting people and property at risk.
You can also help prevent rubbish fires by following this advice:
Store your rubbish in a secure area if possible
Keep your garage and shed locked as well as your home
Keep all flammable liquids locked away
Report any build-up of rubbish to your Local Authority
Report any fly-tipping direct to your Local Authority or to https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/DumbDumpers
If you burn leaves and debris, consider alternatives like composting.
Before lighting any outdoor fire, check for any restrictions or if any permits are required.
Avoid lighting fires when high winds, high temperatures and low humidity are present or predicted
Never burn if the smoke and flames are blowing towards your home (or your neighbour’s home).
Remember not to:
Allow rubbish to block escape routes
Store rubbish by doors, windows or any other openings
Store bins or sacks up against your home as fire can quickly spread to buildings
Smoke in or around storage areas
Fly-tip materials or leave rubbish to build up outdoors
Contact Police Scotland via the non-emergency number 101 to share information on anyone who deliberately sets fires. Alternatively, give the information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
