Arsonists warned after spate of blazes

So far this year, figures show that to the end of August, there have been 38 arsons in the Mountain Top and Overthorpe Avenue areas of Thornhill. The majority have been grass fires, but there have also been two car fires and a fire at an abandoned building.

Earlier this year the police and the fire service issued a warning about the number of deliberate fires in the area and yesterday they repeated their warning saying people who are starting such fires are potentially putting lives at risk.

PCSO Julie Buxton of the Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, who patrols the Thornhill area said: “The vast majority of these fires have been small fires started on grassland areas. While the people who have been starting them may think that the fires won’t cause any trouble, they should realise that it is a crime and something that the police take seriously.”

David Tattersfield of the Kirklees Arson Taskforce added: “We tend to see an increase in these incidents during the summer months, but this is the time of year when the ground is dry and the chances of small fires becoming very big problems increases considerably.

“Arson can cause huge amounts of damage and put the lives of the arsonists themselves, as well as the public and the emergency services, at serious risk. They are also serious offences that carry hefty punishments, so I am warning people not to be tempted to play with fire.”

As well as the risk to human life, arson is also a drain on the economy.

According to the Government’s Economic Cost of Fire Report 2004, the average cost of dealing with a deliberate fire was estimated at £2,000.

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity should call police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.