Fire chiefs slam farm arsonists

FIRE CHIEFS in Leicestershire have hit out at arsonists who have attacked six farms in six days.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage have put farmers on the alert and prompted the county‘s fire service to issue a ‘stop-it before someone is killed‘ warning.

Over £1,000 of unharvested wheat was destroyed in the first blaze at Oadby, with two firecrews having to attend.

Elliotts Farm, in the village of Ibstock, was the next to be hit with 12ha (30 acres) of crops being destroyed.

Haystacks were set alight in Whissendine, and a farm building gutted in Narborough. Two other farms also lost crops in deliberately started fires.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, Paul Dickens, said that over 70% of all farm fires attended had been arson attacks.

“Apart from the harm caused to the environment and lost revenue, there is danger because fire service resources are being diverted away from real needs.

“Unfortunately, isolated rural areas are easy targets. The message is ‘stop and think – the consequences can be fatal‘,” he said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leicestershire police on 0116 2222222