300 grass fires on Merseyside in two weeks

Grass Fire in Tarran Way West Credit: Merseyside fire and rescue

0 0 1 396 2259 itv 18 5 2650 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}MerseysideFire & Rescue Service say they've been out to more than 300 grass fires in the space of 12 days over the Easter break.

Ofthose fires, there were 59 in Liverpool, 47 in Wirral, 68 in Sefton, 60 inKnowsley and 100 in St Helens.

Officers have issued public safety advice for those using parkland areas as themilder weather approaches:

  • Ensure cigarettes are extinguished properly

  • Rubbish, especially glass bottles should be cleared away as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start a fire

  • Open fires should not be lit in parks and open spaces

  • Do not tackle a fire that can’t be put out with a bucket of water. Leave the area and call 999

  • Never use petrol to lights BBQ as it can ignite quickly and get out of control

Area Manager Myles Platt, said: “Firefighters have been called out to a number of accidental and deliberate grass fires.

“Deliberately starting fires on grassland and open spaces is arson and offenders will be prosecuted.

“If a fire appliance has to attend a grass fire that has been started deliberately it may delay the response to another emergency.

“Fires started on grassland near motorways and busy roads can cause smoke to drift across roads, creating a hazard for drivers.

“Some accidental fires can be avoided by following the simple safety measures we have highlighted.

“We want people to enjoy the parks and open spaces in Merseyside and to be as safe as possible from fire.”