Teens blasted for raising false fire alarms
Rutherglen residents have slammed a group of teenagers who they say are “wasting the valuable time” of our emergency services.
Residents of Greenhill Court in Rutherglen have been left “furious” that the fire service has been called out to the tower block three times in a week because of hoax calls.
A Reformer source, who wished to remain anonymous ‘out of fear’, told us: “In the last week the fire service has been called out here at least three times.
“There’s a group of young boys, teenagers – thugs I would say – who are hanging about the area on their bikes.
“They are going about setting off fire alarms within the building which causes the fire service to come out.
“Each time, there has been no fire, or any incident that means that the fire service has been needed.
“It’s been a hoax call each time and that is beyond selfish.
“Not only is it a waste of time for the crew, but it could be taking valuable services away from a serious incident where the fire service is needed.”
The annoyed resident claims that five fire engines were dispatched to Greenhill Court last Friday (August 20) after an internal alarm was set off just after 8pm. He also claims that, on at least two separate occasions earlier in the week, the same amount of appliances were in attendance at the tower block.
He added: “It happens around the same time each night, between 7pm and 9pm. Do these kids not have anything better to be doing?
“You would think that they would know better and understand how serious it is to hoax call the emergency services.
“And due to the size of Greenhill Court, the fire service need to send out a whole army of equipment just in case there actually is a fire.
“It’s a shame. I hope those responsible are ashamed of themselves.”
Stephen Wright is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s local senior officer for Lanarkshire.
He said: “Whilst the service has plans and procedures in place to ensure that our communities are protected at all times, every second counts in an emergency and when firefighters have to attend malicious activations of alarms there is the chance that they could be taken away from incidents where lives are at risk.
“We will continue to engage with young people, communities and partners wherever possible to raise awareness of the potential dangers of these actions.”