Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

St Agnes at 09/08/2006 12:56

Firefighters from Cornwall County Fire Brigade are promoting fire safety to businesses and homes in St Agnes this week.

The drive comes after a suspected arson attack in St Agnes Parish Council offices yesterday. Firefighters from Perranporth were called at 8.47am to a fire involving an air conditioning unit. The fire was believed to have been started deliberately. Following the fire there were a number of other arson attacks in the village.

“The police are investigating these attacks and anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111” said Station Officer Stewart Whitworth, who lives in St Agnes.

He cont: “The attacks have highlighted the dangers of fire to people living in the village. We are using this as an opportunity to promote fire safety. I have been speaking to local businesses about how to deter arson attacks and we will also be visiting homes giving free home fire safety checks and fitting smoke alarms”

Firefighters across the county have been dealing with a large number of arson attacks recently, including gorse fires.

Arson is treated by the courts as a criminal offence, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for serious arson attacks that endanger life. All suspicious fires are investigated by the Brigade in partnership with the Police. In July a Judge at Truro Crown Court sentenced a person found guilty of committing arson to 40 months imprisonment.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Ted Simpson added: “Arson is not only a serious offence, it costs money and uses invaluable Brigade resources. When a fire engine is attending an arson attack it is not available for other fires - compromising the safety of the public”