Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/08/2004 15:29

Cornwall County Fire Brigade can today give an example to show that arson is a serious criminal offence and does not pay!

On 2nd January 2004 the brigade was called to a fire at a farm in the Par area. The fire involved a caravan which was totally destroyed. The tractor next to the caravan was partially damaged as was the barn. Some other items nearby were destroyed including a sofa.

Fire investigators were called to the scene to carry out a detailed fire investigation into the cause of the incident.

Their findings showed that the property was unoccupied at the time of the fire. They inspected the property to assess the extent of the fire and to ascertain the area in which they considered the fire to have originated.

Fire Investigators have to take into consideration numerous details at every incident they are called to investigate, details such as: Have people been smoking in the area recently? Are there any electrical supplies or other power sources? Is there any heating in the area? Were there any cooking facilities nearby? Was there any DIY or contractual work taking place nearby? Has there been any criminal activity. What were the weather conditions?

Fire Investigators and the Police carried out a detailed investigation which uncovered evidence of a break-in and along with other evidence led the officers to conclude that the fire had been started deliberately.

Police apprehended a suspect who appeared before Truro Crown Court on the 21st July 2004 for the offences of arson and theft, committed between 31/12/03 and 03/01/04.

The defendant pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for the offence of arson and 12 months imprisonment for the offence of theft, the sentences to be served concurrently. He was also sentenced in respect of other offences for which he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to also run concurrently. His total sentence will therefore be 3 years imprisonment.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates added: “Arson is a very serious and potentially life threatening offence and as can be seen from this case the courts take the matter very seriously. The Brigade has a wealth of fire investigation knowledge and in collaboration with the Police we investigate all suspicious fires. The Police and the courts deal with people suspected of arson in a very serious manner. I hope this acts as a deterrent to anyone else considering this type of criminal activity”