Disappointment at rise in deliberate firesetting

FIREFIGHTERS say they are “disappointed” that deliberate fires are on the increase in Nithsdale again following a temporary improvement. In the first half of 2025/26 the number of deliberate blazes reached 58 – a jump of 26 compared to the same period the previous year. Two or three youths were allegedly involved in the majority of incidents, writes Marc McLean. A fire service performance update report covering April-September has been produced for next week’s Nithsdale area committee. It states: “There has been an increase in deliberate fires from 32 to 58 in this reporting period. This is disappointing considering the previous community engagement and improvements seen, particularly in North West Dumfries. “Statistics show that the majority of incidents occurred late afternoon and into mid-evening, coinciding with out of school hours. Fire setter intervention work has been carried out where individuals responsible have been identified and the police have pressed charges. “The increase for this period can be attributed to two or three individual firesetters.” A total of 325 incidents were handled by firefighters in Nithsdale during the six-months, up from 306 incidents the previous year. With 91 fires, this reflects an 18 percent increase overall, while outdoor fires were up from 35 to 62, fires in buildings were down from 35 to 22, and vehicle fires remained the same at seven. There were no fire fatalities and no-one required first aid or hospital treatment following a fire.

Meanwhile, accidental house fires significantly decreased by 54 percent from 24 to 11 - but cooking appliances remained the most common source of ignition.