Fire service warning to Shropshire arsonists

Following a spate of arson attacks in Shrewsbury, fire chiefs have now moved to issue a warning that any persons convicted over the more serious of these crimes could face a jail term of life imprisonment.

The recent fire in the town where 10 people had to be evacuated from flats above a furniture store was just one of a number of similar arson incidents.

A joint investigation between the West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has been launched into this blaze.

The fire risk that is endangering lives has caused the fire service to speak out over the arson attacks in a bid to get the perpetrators to think more carefully about what they are doing.

The area manager and head of protection and prevention for the fire service, John Das-Gupta, said:

“What people might think is a bit of fun and tomfoolery quite clearly has the potential to jeopardise a number of people’s safety.”

The county’s fire crime officer, Derek Taylor, added:

“People need to think about what could happen if they do these things. Any fire that is started deliberately has the capability of causing death or serious injury. If they get convicted of arson with intent to endanger life it carries life imprisonment.”