Work to combat nuisance fires

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is stepping up its work with young people during the Easter school holidays following a spate in rubbish and bin fires.

More than ten fires were put down to children with matches across Greater Manchester in less than ten hours between Tuesday 10 April and Wednesday 11 April.

In one incident, a group of ten youths started a rubbish fire while camping out on open land near a school  just before 4am on Wednesday.

In another, a wheelie bin was set alight at 11.37pm on Tuesday and the fire spread to five other bins in the street.

Staff from GMFRS’ Prevention Services are working in the community across Greater Manchester to try and deter youths from starting nuisance fires by providing information and advice, and offering them an alternative way to spend their free time.

Area Manager Dave Keelan, head of GMFRS’ Prevention Services, said: “Rubbish and wheelie bin fires may seem like minor incidents but the fact that they have the potential to spread to buildings, homes and businesses means they are very
dangerous.

“A large part of our work as a fire service is to deter youngsters and try to prevent nuisance fires. We would love our prevention work alone to stop these types of incidents but we really need the support of parents to help us achieve this – knowing where your children are and what they are doing, and making sure they are aware of the consequences of arson.

“As well as the environmental and aesthetic effect it has on the community, these types of fires have a huge impact on the fire service as they tie-up our staff and resources which could be needed to deal with a far more serious incident in the area.”