Arsonists condemned as crews battle blazes

Arsonists condemned as crews battle blazes

4 July 2018

FIRE crews across the district have been working flat out to tackle a series of gorse fires over the past week.

In the Downpatrick area firefighters tackled eight separate blazes close to the Model Farm estate, one at the Gallows Hill and another at Old Course Road.

There have been further blazes at Bloody Bridge outside Newcastle and in the Leitrim area.

The fires in Downpatrick are believed to have been started deliberately. A new residents’ group in the Model Farm area has criticised those responsible.

The group has called for the ownership of the land where the fires have been started to be established and for all remaining whin bushes to be removed to remove the threat of further blazes.

The first fire broke out in the Colmcille Road area on Sunday of last week. Further fires occurred over the following two days and again last Friday afternoon.

The most serious incident occurred on Sunday — just 24 hours after the new community group had organised a hugely successful fun day.

The intensity of the blaze which broke out just after lunchtime saw a total of eight fire tenders and crews attend the scene, with billowing smoke engulfing people who were attending a Cemetery Sunday service at nearby Killough Road.

Firefighters from Downpatrick were joined by colleagues from Newcastle, Warrenpoint, Ballynahinch, Carryduff and Rathfriland. Some elderly pensioners whose homes were close to the fire were taken to the nearby Ballymote Centre.

The new community group has appealed to parents to warn their children about the dangers of starting fires, while local politicians have praised firefighters for their hard work in the most challenging of conditions.

South Down MLAs Colin McGrath and Emma Rogan alongside Downpatrick councillors Gareth Sharvin, and Cadogan Enright paid tribute to the efforts of the fire crews.

Mr McGrath praised the response of firemen to the series of fires at the Model Farm area and the efforts of the newly formed community group to help elderly residents in particular.

“A neighbour helping a neighbour, that is what being in a true community feels like,” he said. “Not those few individuals who have caused this situation. Not only are they putting themselves in danger, they are also placing their friends, neighbours and families in perilous situations by starting fires.

“These actions endanger lives not only in our own area, but others in need of firemen who are tackling blazes which have been started deliberately. I would appeal to those responsible for this damage to think about their actions, their family and their community. Such actions can really have devastating consequences,” the MLA added.

Condemning those behind the fires over recent days, Ms Rogan said those responsible “have no regard for life or limb,” and it was a “relief” that no one was injured.

She said an emergency inter-agency meeting has been arranged with Sinn Féin officials working alongside statutory bodies “in an effort to collectively tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour.”

The MLA added: “There is a small element that continue to engage in dangerous anti-social behaviour against the local community. I would appeal to parents to make it their business to ensure their children are not caught up in this type of activity.” 

Cllr Sharvin also condemned those deliberately starting fires which, he said, posed a serious risk to life, with the blazes at the Model Farm area covering this part of Downpatrick in a blanket of smoke.

“I praise fire crews for their work last Sunday ensuring that residents’ homes were protected. It is my understanding one fireman was injured and this shows the major risk our fire crews are undertaking. Praise also to the Model Farm Community Association for its work, in tandem with the Flying Horse Forum and Ballymote Centre who opened up the local community centre on Sunday for residents to find a safe place away from the fire,” he said.

Cllr Sharvin added: “I was at the scene of Sunday’s fire and was told pensioners were not willing to leave their homes, out of fear they would burn down. I appeal to those responsible for these crimes to consider the impact their actions are having on local residents, the community they live in and to stop it now before a life is lost.”

Cllr Enright said several of the fires required firefighters to spend most of the day tackling them and he thanked crews for their efforts.

He said last Sunday afternoon’s blaze opposite the Killough Road cemetery was particularly unacceptable, while on Monday there was the “extraordinary sight” of what looked like snow in Downpatrick town centre which was in fact ash coming down from Gallows Hill and other locations around the town.

Cllr Enright said fire crews attended the Ballymote area on 113 occasions last year with the Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies using valuable resources to identify those involved and bring in so-called ‘diversionary schemes’ to try and lessen the problem.

”This included trips to fire stations and courses but this year we need to call on the PSNI to deal properly with the known perpetrators and draw a line under this problem,” he declared.

“People are sick, sore and tired of this behaviour and blame a small number of parents for letting their children out of control.

“It is only a month since a pensioner’s cottage was burnt out in Ballymote Park. When it comes to our fields, forests and parks being set alight, there is no substitute for parental responsibility or police action. The people of Downpatrick want these fires to stop.”