Summer fire call made to Highland parents
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PARENTS are being warned deliberate fire setting will not be tolerated – as they are also called on to discuss the issue with their children.
Firefighters issued the call as school summer holidays continue, after figures revealed that last year over the period 12 deliberate fires were started throughout the Highlands.
All of these incidents were secondary fires, involving derelict buildings, grass or refuse.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) director of prevention and protection, Assistant Chief Officer Dave McGown, said: “SFRS has a zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire-raising because it puts our communities at great risk.
“We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with accordingly.”
Deliberately set fires waste time and money, and keep fire crews away from real emergencies.
ACO McGown 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 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 can contact the confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.
Illegal rubbish dumps can also be flagged up at www.dumbdumpers.org or by calling 08452 304090.
