Residents

into the cause and deemed it to be a deliberate ignition.”

A total of 142 deliberate blazes were extinguished in July-September and fire bosses have pinpointed hotspots of “particular concern”.

The North East ward, which had 37 deliberate blazes, was worst.

In Strathmartine, 33 deliberate blazes were reported and 29 in the East End.

Mr Grieve said: “A number of initiatives have been undertaken to reduce these incidents such as leaflet drops, fire safety talks, partnership meetings and various youth engagement activities.

“Local managers have been working closely with Police Scotland and other partners to address these issues.”

A total of 634 false alarm calls were reported during the quarter, consistent with the service’s average but a 13.8% rise since 2015. And there was a 93.3% rise in malicious false alarm calls, from 15 to 29.

Just under half were as a result of fire alarm activations within schools.

The SFRS has dedicated prevention and protection staff who target repeat callers in an attempt to reduce false alarms.

Elsewhere, incidents crews had to attend included 12 road traffic collisions and 15 floods.

Fire officers also had to help three elderly people out of their baths, three people trapped in fences, and one person out of a drain.

A child also had to have their head removed from a toilet trainer, and a teenage girl had to be released from a baby swing.

Mr Grieve said: “None of those involved i n t hese extrications required medical assistance.”