Young firestarters have been condemned for putting lives at risk in a series of Angus flat fires.
After the third recent incident in a stairwell at an Arbroath block on the town’s busy West Port, a councillor has said he fears the irresponsible antics of drunken teenagers could lead to tragedy.
Councillor David Fairweather spoke out after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service put out a strong warning over the danger of leaving rubbish in closes, stairwells and on landings.
It was sparked by three separate incidents in the stairwell of flats which sit above the West Port Bar on the town’s Keptie Street, the last just over a week ago.
Police are investigating the incidents, but Mr Fairweather said drunken youngsters had been a problem at the flats and he has given them a stark message to think about the life-threatening potential of their actions.
“I know about these incidents, which happened in a building where there are nine flats, above shops and a pub,” said Mr Fairweather.
“These properties had a fixed door entry scheme, but that had been kicked in when they happened and had now been repaired and we believe these fires have been started by young folk who may have been trying to visit someone in the property and then set fire to stuff in the stairwell.
“Youngsters will come into a building, party on the stairwell and then, through their own drunken behaviour, think it’s funny to set a fire in a block were there are young families living.”
“The fact is that if other tenants hadn’t appeared and seen these fires, who knows what could have happened. If someone had been sleeping and the fire had got a hold what’s to say that they would have been able to get out in time?”
He added: “The landlords I have spoken to are extremely concerned and I understand police investigations are continuing.Hopefully the people responsible can be caught, made aware of how dangerous their actions were and dealt with by the courts.
“To leave items in the stairwell is potentially dangerous and tenants should also remember that, but I would condemn anyone who then thinks about setting them on fire,” he said.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said that in all three of the Arbroath incidents, carpets and filled bin bags had been set alight.
Arbroath Community Safety officer, watch manager Garry Brown, said: “Any items of unwanted furniture or rubbish should not be stored in the common areas, or on the landings and stairs.
“They should be kept as clear as possible, both to prevent firesetting and to ensure the means of escape from the properties.”
He added: “Combustible items such as old settees, chairs, desks, mattresses and rubbish constitute a significant fire hazard and where these items are left for any length of time the incidence of firesetting increases.”
Angus Council will pick up bulky items by phoning the ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778 or visit your local offices.
Watch manager Brown added: “Security doors, where fitted, should be kept in good order and not wedged open. This will help to prevent intrusion and potential fireraising.”
SFRS is urging communities to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire and sign up for a free home fire safety visit.
A visit can be organised by calling 0800 0731 999; texting 61611 or online at www.firescotland.gov.uk.