Farmer warns of fire danger after three blazes at property

A Tayside farmer has warned of the dangers of fireraising after he fought three blazes on his land in five days.

Alistair Hodnett, 44, has farmed at Balmydown Farm, next to Baldovan Woods, since 1990.

He said as well as the three fires on his land, another two were started at the derelict neighbouring Strathmartine Hospital site all within a seven-day period.

Mr Hodnett, who lives with his wife, Mandy, and two children, said: “The fires were definitely deliberate.

“There were two in the grounds of Strathmartine Hospital.

“At the moment it feels a wee bit like I’ve had the fire service on speed dial.

“At Baldovan Woods, on part of our land, there were three fires in five days. I managed to control the first one with a fire extinguisher. It was definitely deliberate as there was a ring of stones moved about.”

Mr Hodnett said whoever it was “seemed hell-bent on causing damage”.

He said he thought the rural location was attracting fireraisers.

The farmer added: “I think it must be youngsters and I don’t think it’s been a malicious attack of any sort.

“But it’s still very dangerous as these could spread quite quickly.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that appliances attended fires on May 5 and May 6.

Dundee’s senior officer, Colin Grieve, said: “Deliberate fires present a danger to life, property and the environment as well as having the potential to divert crews from genuine emergencies.”