Six deliberate blazes every day in county
countryside, but also included building and vehicle fires.
SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief
Officer Ross Haggart said SFRS “take a zero- tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting”.
ACO Haggart said: “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 fireraising 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 fireraising 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 added: “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.
“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 fireraising should contact police on 101 or alternatiavely telephone the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.