'Think about your actions': Firefighters' issue plea after battling blaze started by arsonists

This was the scene as fire crews were called to a fire started on purpose as firefighters continue to battle a spate of blazes.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 22nd Apr 2021, 11:34 BST

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

The team from Peterlee Fire Station was sent to Brandling Court in Shotton Colliery at 9.09pm yesterday, Wednesday, April 21, after an allotment was found on fire.

Firefighters used a hose reel to put out the fire and were on the scene until 10.30pm.

It followed an earlier call out to the same area at 5.05pm when a small amount of rubbish was spotted on fire.

A photo shared by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service of the allotment blaze in Brandling Court, Shotton Colliery.

A photo shared by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service of the allotment blaze in Brandling Court, Shotton Colliery.

The crew used a high pressure hose reel to put it out, spending 15 minutes on the call out.

Peterlee area hit with a spate of fires as crews attend 21 blazes in 30 days

They come in the wake of a series of deliberate fires in the Peterlee area in recent days, with glass and bush fires and rubbish blazes set on open ground.

On Tuesday night, April 20, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service was called to Eden Lane in Peterlee after the contents of a skip were found alight.

The service has urged people to take home their waste, dispose of cigarettes property and to no light fires in the countryside or woodland, including barbecues.

CDDFRS Area Manager Keith Wanley, Head of Community Risk Management said: “We are aware of a number of instances of deliberate fires being started across the county in recent weeks and together with our partners in the police and local councils we would urge whoever is destroying our beautiful countryside to think about their actions.

“With warmer weather forecast in the coming weeks, we would like to remind all residents of the dangers of starting a fire in the open.

"What may start as a small campfire or bonfire can very quickly get out of control after periods of dry weather, which allows fire to spread incredibly quickly, putting lives at risk.

“Fires such as these also take our valuable resources away from emergency situations and tie our crews up, sometimes for hours.

"To help us tackle these types of fires we would like to urge anyone with information around deliberate fires to call Firestoppers.”

Firestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 169 5558 or reports can be sent online.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.