Plymouth shop damaged in arson attack
Police are searching for a gang of arsonists after a fire broke out at a shop in Plymouth on 26th November.
The fire started at around 7.30pm when a firework was used to set fire to a package in a store room of the Square Discount store in St Budeaux Square, Plymouth.
Crews from Camels Head, Crownhill and Greenbank attended the incident and spent several hours bringing the fire under control and damping down the blaze.
The ground floor of the shop was severely damaged by fire and smoke. The second floor was also damaged.
Detective constable Miles said that the owner of the shop is shocked by what has happened. He said: “He sells a range of items, like shampoo and hairspray as well as chemicals for the photo processing machine he uses. However, at this time of year he had a lot of wrapping paper, decorations and other Christmas stock which he’s now lost to the fire and smoke damage, so it’s really set him back at a time when he can ill afford it.”
An investigation is now being carried by the fire service and police.
West Yorkshire fire service warns of £20,000 fine
West Yorkshire firefighters are warning potential arsonists that if they start grass fires they could be faced with a £20,000 fine.
West Yorkshire Firefighters have been called to 40 moorland wildfires so far this year.
In 2011, firefighters had to tackle a deliberately-started fire on Baildon Moor in March, which caused significant damage to an area used by ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwings and skylarks.
In another incident, 50 acres of Grassington Moor was destroyed by fire as controlled burning was fanned by winds.
The fire service has warned that anyone found to have started a fire deliberately on a Site of Special Scientific Interest could face a fine of up to £20,000.
Station Commander Robin Ward, said: “Moorland fires are notoriously difficult to tackle because they are often in inaccessible locations, where there is little or no water supply. They burn quickly and ferociously and, when driven by strong winds, can be unpredictable and dangerous for firefighters. These fires can cause damage to the land and they can wipe out wildlife.”