Easter break sparks increase in fires in Medway
Young
people are thought to be responsible for 46 fires across
Kent in just the first week of the Easter holidays.
Therefore it's suspected more
than four fires are being set by people under the age of 17 EVERY
DAY.
In total, firefighters have
attended 119 outdoor fires, involving rubbish, grassland,
bushes and trees from the start of the school holidays on
March 31 up until yesterday.
Of these 85 are believed to
have been started deliberately and it is suspected that young
people are responsible for over half.
Stuart Skilton, KFRS community
safety manager, said: "Whether started deliberately or through
carelessness, these fires can easily spread out of control,
destroying wildlife and putting people’s lives, including those of
firefighters, and property at risk.
"The consequences for individuals
caught committing arson are serious and can result in large fines
or several years in jail – possibly a life sentence if someone is
killed as a result of their actions."
Problem areas over previous years
have included Old Park in Canterbury and Dartford Heath.
Members of the public are advised
to not discard cigarettes out of car windows and to extinguish
barbeques and bonfires properly.
Parents should keep matches and
lighters out of the way of young people, not leave youngsters to
wander in the countryside unsupervised and ensure that they are
aware of the dangers of fire.
10/04/12
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