Blaze at Historic Fort Gilkicker Blamed on Reckless Arsonists
Two fire crews raced to tackle a nasty blaze sparked by thoughtless arsonists at Fort Gilkicker in Stokes Bay tonight. Crews from Fareham, fresh from battling a fire at Browndown Range, were quickly called to the historic Palmerston Fort after the fire erupted.
Firefighters Warn: Stay Away from Derelict Buildings
Watch Manager 1 Higgins sounded the alarm on the dangers lurking in abandoned buildings. He warned, “This is a very dangerous structure. Kids sneaking inside and setting fires risk trapping themselves quickly.”
He added, “There’s lots of fire loading inside – extra wood, aerosol cans, and hazardous materials. It’s a nightmare for us.”
Fire Crews Put at Risk by Foolhardy Arson
Higgins made clear the fallout from these reckless acts. “This incident tied up Hampshire’s fire appliances while crews were already stretched. It puts both firefighters and the public in danger.”
“When I send my teams into derelict buildings, they face risks like falling through floors or collapsing walls. If someone’s trapped, rescuing them only raises the stakes.”
The Message: Don’t Play with Fire
He urged everyone to exercise common sense: “Don’t enter these places. If you spot vandals or fires, report it to the council to get the buildings boarded up.”
“These sites are dangerous to everyone.” An official investigation into the fire is now underway.
