New figures reveal number of deliberate fires in a year
THERE were more than 6,000 acts of arson in Wales in a single year – the equivalent of 17 deliberate fires being started every single day.
The incidents saw 47 people injured as a result, while firefighters spent the equivalent of 182 days fighting the blazes.
A freedom of information request from the Western Mail revealed the location – accurate to within 100m – of every act of arson recorded by Wales’ three fire services in the 201718 financial year.
The figures, supplied by South Wales, North Wales, and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services, show a total of 6,372 fires were started deliberately across the country.
In total fire crews spent 4,357 hours battling the resulting fires – the equivalent of 182 days straight, or a full six months.
Some 47 people were hurt by the fires, the figures show.
Compared with last year, the most significant difference is the fact that there were no resulting fatalities in the most recent period compared to six deaths the year before.
The 2017-18 total number of arson incidents represented an increase of more than 400 compared to the 5,936 deliberately-set fires recorded in the 2016-17 financial year.
Despite this jump, there were actually fewer people hurt in the most recent period, with 76 people injured by arson in 2016-17.
The 2016-17 period also saw fire crews spend more time – 5,200 hours, equating to 216 days – tackling the incidents.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Along with the three fire and rescue services, local authorities and the police, we have worked very hard to reduce deliberate fires in Wales.
“While the small rise in deliberate fires this year is a concern, it is pleasing to note the total number has fallen by nearly 70% over the past decade and last year fires in people’s homes were at the lowest level on record.
“We will not, however, rest on our laurels and will continue our hard work to reduce all types of fire in Wales.”