Firebugs still running free
Police have still not arrested anyone for starting a fire at a Perth school.
A blaze was set deliberately at Viewlands Primary School on Sunday, July 28, and completely destroyed a shed full of nursery equipment.
Only two days earlier, a 15-yearold was arrested and charged with deliberately setting a fire at nearby Oakbank Primary School.
The fire at Oakbank caused smoke damage to an outer wall.
However, despite the fire at Viewlands Primary School taking place three weekends ago, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
When the PA contacted Police Scotland’s Tayside division, a spokesperson simply said: “Enquiries are ongoing.”
This comes after one of Scotland’s most senior firefighters made a public plea in the wake of the Perth fires.
David Dourley said: “It’s frustrating because deliberate fire setting is a needless act and puts lives at risk.
“Individuals involved, or near the event, are at risk and the risk of injury to our hard working crews is increased - road users are also put at unnecessary risk as we make our way to an incident.
“Whether it’s a large or small scale incident, the resources we deploy should not really be there.
“They should be ready at the station The blaze at Viewlands Primary School
to attend a genuine emergency where lives may need to be saved.
“It goes without saying we will always attend every emergency call, but attending deliberate fires or being redirected to one means that our fire appliances and personnel aren’t available when and where they should be.”
He continued: “Deliberate fire setting is antisocial behaviour and must be treated as such.
“Fire incidents blot the landscape and impact on communities.
“It’s not a nice place for people to live and work when they have burnt fire debris and areas left destroyed by unwanted behaviour.
“Think about the impact on the area you and your family are living in - it’s your community, why would you damage it?
“Look after the area you live in and let your community flourish.”