Fire service warning over deliberate grass fires in South Wales

THE fire service has pleaded with people to stop lighting fires after crews from across the city responded to eight deliberately-set blazes.

Crews were kept busy from Wednesday evening into the early hours of Thursday morning tackling the fires.

They fought blazes at Arennig Road in Penlan, Trallwn Woods in Lon Enfys, Broughton Road in Blaenymaes, Forge Fach in Clydach, on grassland alongside Siemens Way in Swansea Enterprise Zone and on the hill near the old Swansea ski slope in Morfa.

And crews from Swansea Central fire station had to visit Kilvey Hill at around 7pm on Wednesday and 6am on Thursday morning to tackle two more fires — both of which were started on purpose.

Gary Williams, assistant county commander for Swansea, said: "It is unfortunate that at this time of year we see an increase in fire-setting, when people set light to dry grass and gorse.

"Such incidents put unnecessary additional pressure on our crews and resources, as vehicles and crews are occupied dealing with grass fires.

"We are reminding the public that fire-setting is a serious crime, as well as being very dangerous indeed.

Meanwhile, grass fires in the Brecon Beacons have been described as the worst seen in 30 years.

Nearly 2,000 acres of common and peat bog has been damaged in the National Park in an area between Trapp, Brynamman and Llandeilo.

Judith Harvey, western area warden for the park authority, said: "We have been fortunate enough to have the support of Brecon Carreg Water, which has offered us an unlimited supply of water, but the only way of attacking the mile- long fire front at the moment is with quad bikes and water bowsers, which is time- consuming and problematic.

"For our wardens who have spent years working to rejuvenate this site as one of the most pristine and priority habitats in the National Park, this is particularly demoralising."

A spokesman for the police said: "We are work- ing closely with the fire service to establish the cause of the fires and would appeal to anyone with information to contact the police in Swansea on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/14a35aeb/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0CArson0Eattacks0Espark0Eappeal0Carticle0E35271570Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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