Fire setting sees warning over ‘major risk to life’

THE SCOTTISH Fire and Rescue Service has expressed concern about a spate of deliberate fire-raising in Fife.

Firefighters were called out five times on Tuesday, to various locations in Fife, due to deliberate fire setting. Crews were called to the Leven, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline areas to deal with rubbish and bins on fire.

Operations Control Thornton received the first call just after 6pm, to a rubbish fire in Leven. A crew from Methil used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and were at the scene for half an hour.

Subsequent calls came in at 6.30pm and 7.35pm and were to the Kirkcaldy area, where crews dealt with two wheelie bin fires.

Further calls to wheelie bin fires in Ballingry and Dunfermline came in after 10pm.

Station manager Steven Michie said: “These deliberate fires are very worrying to us and we are appealing to local residents and businesses to report anything suspicious anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or to Police Scotland by calling 101.

“We ask local residents and businesses to ensure that rubbish does not accumulate outside their property and that wheelie bins are stored in a safe and secure area until collection.

“Bin and rubbish fires can quickly take hold and spread to buildings and vehicles, posing a major risk to life and property.”

Local area liaison officer Paul Cunningham said: “The important issue is that young people should understand the danger of lighting fires.

“On many occasions, we have seen the results of a prank or game go tragically wrong and someone ends up seriously injured.

“Whilst we are attending these deliberate fires, a house fire or road traffic collision could be developing and at least one of our fire engines is tied up. This could cost precious seconds and minutes, which could put lives in our communities at risk.

“Parents have a responsibility to make sure their children know how dangerous playing with fire can be.”