Arsonists attack Tidworth properties

Firefighters from Ludgershall, Amesbury, Pewsey, Salisbury and Devizes were kept busy on Friday night (25 July) when arsonists broke into secured derelict premises in Tidworth and set fire to a house which quickly ignited the roof, fully engulfing the property within minutes. Smoke from the fire drifted all over Tidworth and local residents were asked to stay indoors.

Whilst dealing with the serious fire in the first property, firefighters became aware of two smaller fires in a neighbouring disused house and a fourth fire in an adjoining disused leisure centre. Firefighters were forced to enter these dangerous premises, fearing that young people may still be trapped inside. A total of 30 firefighters attended and remained on scene for a number of hours.

Ian Rennie, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager for the Tidworth area, who was in charge at the fire, said: “Derelict buildings that are used as playgrounds by young people are a real hazard to firefighters when they have to extinguish fires in them. Children put themselves in great peril by lighting fires in any premises, but particularly in disused or derelict buildings due to the additional hazards that exist when a fire takes hold. I would ask parents to be extra vigilant as to their children’s whereabouts during the school holidays, especially if there are building sites or derelict buildings near to their home.”

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service fire investigators will continue investigations along with Wiltshire Police in forthcoming days.

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