Fire chiefs condemn deliberate blaze rise

More than 2,000 deliberate or reckless blazes were dealt with by fire crews last year, according to the latest figures.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) statistics show there were 532 deliberate “primary” fires in and around houses and buildings in 2016.

The figure is up 38 on the previous year.

There were also 1,762 “secondary” fires in fields and out in the countryside as well as 1,259 accidental and deliberate blazes involving refuse.

Assistant Chief Officer Dave Mcgown, SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fireraising because it puts our communities at great risk.

“It presents a danger to life, property and the environment.”