Dundee Blaze Madness! Deliberate Fires Spike 35% in a Year
Firefighters in Dundee have been slammed with 627 deliberate blazes from April 2017 to January this year – a shocking 35% jump compared to 2015. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) revealed hundreds of pointless fires set across the city, putting lives and property at risk.
Bin and Grass Fires Rage Out of Control
Of those 627 fires, a whopping 571 were secondary fires involving rubbish, grassland, and wheelie bins torched on purpose. Another 56 were deliberate attacks on private homes and businesses. Gordon Pryde, SFRS’s Local Senior Officer for Perth, Kinross, Angus, and Dundee warns these reckless acts stretch fire crews thin.
“Deliberate fires put unnecessary pressure on firefighters when genuine emergencies arise and could have placed lives at risk. These incidents are completely unacceptable.” – Gordon Pryde
Residents Urged to Clear Up and Lock Away Bins
Pryde urged locals and businesses to avoid leaving rubbish piled up outside and to store bins securely until collection to help prevent these infernos. Anyone with information on arson attacks is urged to call scotland/" title="Police Scotland" data-wpil-monitor-id-removed="277">Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Good News: Accidental House Fires and Casualties Drop
It’s not all grim – accidental house fires in Dundee fell from 165 to 143 last year, while fire casualties dropped from 39 to 24. Firefighters carried out 481 Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) to bolster prevention efforts.
“There is a clear link between fire-related casualties and accidental dwelling fires. That’s why we push Home Fire Safety Visits to make sure all homes have working smoke alarms.” – LSO Gordon Pryde
Pryde stressed the critical importance of functioning smoke alarms, especially when sleeping, as early alerts can save lives. He also highlighted the growing challenge posed by Scotland’s ageing population, which could raise risks of fire and other home harms.
Looking Ahead: Fighting Modern Threats and Protecting Vulnerable Residents
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is consulting on training to tackle new dangers like terror attacks and severe floods. Pryde said:
“We want to push the boundaries to offer the best service possible. Prevention is paying off, but we’re never complacent.”
He called on the public to help protect elderly or vulnerable neighbours by contacting the fire service for safety visits. With fires decreasing overall, Dundee’s firefighters remain ready to save lives and tackle fresh challenges head-on.
