Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to not start deliberate fires and to take care in discarding cigarettes and rubbish as fires soar in the current dry conditions.

The warning comes after a grass fire in Knowsley spread rapidly across a field, quadrupling in size within just 20 minutes, before reaching the fence line of a primary school and coming close to nearby homes. 

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze on Lordens Road, Huyton, before it spread to the properties, but the fire caused extensive damage to the grassland. 

The incident is one of several grass fires attended across Merseyside since the school holidays began. 

Between 20 July and 9 August, firefighters attended 418 grass and rubbish fires across Merseyside. 240 were recorded as deliberate – more than half of all incidents.

Across a longer period, from 1 June to 9 August, MFRS attended 945 grass and rubbish fires, including 643 grassland fires. 515 of the 945 grass and rubbish fires were recorded as deliberate.

Kevin Johnson, Head of Prevention for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“What may start as a small fire can spread incredibly quickly when conditions are dry, and in this case the flames reached the boundary of a primary school and came close to nearby homes.

“Thankfully, our firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading further, but the outcome could have been very different.

“More than half of the grass and rubbish fires we have attended since the start of the school holidays have been recorded as deliberate. These fires are not harmless – they can threaten homes and buildings, destroy wildlife and green spaces, and put members of the public and our firefighters at risk.

“We are asking people to think carefully about their actions. Never deliberately light a fire in open spaces, dispose of cigarettes safely and take your rubbish home rather than leaving it on grassland.”

These grass and rubbish fires also have potential to divert operational fire crews away from incidents elsewhere where they may be needed for life-threatening emergencies. While attending these grass and rubbish fires, fire crews have also dealt with 134 house or flat fires where people may have been involved and needed rescuing. 

“Our firefighters will always respond when someone needs help, but we are asking people to think about the consequences of their actions. Deliberately starting a fire can put other people in danger and place unnecessary pressure on emergency services. Help us help you.”

You can reduce the risk of grass fires by:

• Never deliberately lighting fires in open spaces.
• Disposing of cigarettes safely and making sure they are completely extinguished.
• Taking litter home or using bins provided.
• Only using barbecues in designated areas and never leave them unattended. Remember, barbecues are not permitted on beaches.
• Keeping home barbecues away from grass, fences, sheds and buildings.
• Reporting suspicious behaviour or deliberate fire setting to Merseyside Police.
• Calling 999 immediately if a fire is spotted.

With the increase in deliberate fires coinciding with the school holidays, MFRS is also asking parents and carers to be aware of where their children are and what they may be doing.

Parents and carers should consider:

• Do you know where your child is?
• Have they returned home with clothes that smell of smoke or with unexplained burn marks?
• Are lighters or other ignition sources going missing from the home?
• Have aerosols or other items that could be used to start a fire been disappearing?

MFRS is also asking people to remain vigilant in areas where there have been repeat incidents and to report anything suspicious to Merseyside Police.