Firefighters in Ayrshire dealt with 182 deliberate fires last summer, the third most of any Scottish area.

Figures published by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service show that from June 24, 2019 to August 26, 2019 there were 182 instances where teams were called out to deal with a blaze that had been ignited by firebugs in Ayrshire.

Only North Lanarkshire (184) and Glasgow City (410) recorded more deliberate acts of arson. There were however, less incidents recorded than the previous year, when the number was 380 in Ayrshire.

SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Alasdair Perry said: “During the summer we tend to see a rise in fire setting across Scotland, often by children and young people.

“These include refuse and wheelie bin fires, fires in stairwells or derelict buildings, as well as grass and countryside fires.

“Attending deliberate fires not only puts our own firefighters at needless risk but can have an impact on our resources.

“I would urge parents and carers to discuss the dangers of fire setting with young people in their lives to ensure they are kept safe.”

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