Firebugs blamed for spate of woodland fires
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Young firebugs are being blamed for
a spate of woodland and grass fires across the county.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service were
called to 12 countryside fires between Thursday July 22 and Friday
morning, July 23 - most of which were believed to have been started
deliberately.
At 8am on Friday morning
firefighters were called to a blaze in woodland off Swanton Road,
West Peckham, where two hectares of undergrowth was reportedly
alight. By 10.45 the fire was reported to be "surrounded" but crews
were expected to be damping down "hotspots" for some time.
A little over an hour previously
crews were called to tackle a "deep seated fire" in 30 sq m of
undergrowth off Swanmead, Tonbridge. Flex packs, beaters and drag
rakes were used in the fight.
Earlier that morning crews tackled
a fire in a bush in Darenth Avenue reported at 1.24am.
Other incidents were reported in
Swanscombe, Medway, Ramsgate, Sheppey, Strood and Aylesham.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
believes children are mainly to blame for the increase in
deliberate fires - which coincides with the start of the school
holidays - and have reissued warnings sent out before the holidays
that young arsonists can face huge fines or even a custodial
sentence in a young offenders’ institution.
KFRS Community Safety Delivery
Manager Lawrence Pater said young people needed to be "very clear
that arson is a crime and certainly not harmless fun."
He added: "Deliberate fires are
destructive and dangerous; those who cause them are putting
themselves, and others, at serious risk.
"Not only does deliberate fire
setting have an impact on the environment and community in which we
all live and work, it also has the potential to divert valuable
fire-fighting resources away from other incidents such as house
fires or road traffic collisions where lives may be in danger."
Arson with the intent to endanger
life carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Deliberate
fire setting that doesn’t endanger life or cause criminal damage
can lead to anti-social behaviour orders or community service.
Friday, July 23 2010
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