Grass fires break out in St Helens as heatwave continues

One crew was called to Caernarfon Street in Thatto Heath just before 2pm today, Thursday, July 5 to tackle a fire 20x20 metres with beaters.

Another crew was sent to tackle a blaze around 2.30pm on Singleton Avenue, near Merton Bank, on a patch of grass measuring 30x15 metres, which they extinguished with a hose reel before another call just after 2.30pm to a large grass fire on Parr Stocks Road.

All have now been extinguished.

This follows fire chiefs urging residents to take extra care against the risk of outdoor fires in the current spell of hot weather.

Advice includes:

•Ensuring cigarettes are extinguished correctly and cannot reignite – don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground – take your litter home.

•Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows.

•Avoid using open fires in the countryside.

•Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).

•Only use barbecues in a suitable and safe area and never leave them unattended.

•If you see a fire, report it to the fire and rescue service immediately by calling 999 and give the nearest main road that the fire appliance can access.

•Don’t attempt to tackle fires – leave the area as quickly as possible.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's Arson Team manager Michael Buratti, said: “In the current hot weather spell there is clearly an increased risk of fires in wooded, bush and grassed areas starting either accidentally or spontaneously.

“However there is also a direct link between deliberate fires and the warm temperatures due to grassland and vegetation being very dry which creates ideal conditions for a fire to develop.

“This means that deliberate fires involving grass, trees and vegetation are also likely to spread very quickly.

"Our advice to residents is to take care when out in grassed and wooded areas, be vigilant but also report any suspicious activity to ourselves and the Police immediately.”