Royal Berkshire Fire Service: Thousands of deliberate fires

An investigation by Public Interest Lawyers revealed that the service attended 8,460 primary and secondary fires from 2019 to 2024, with around 20 per cent classified as deliberate.

Primary fires are defined as those causing harm to people or property, while secondary fires are generally smaller outdoor fires such as refuse fires, grassland fires, and fires in abandoned buildings or vehicles.

Berkshire fire incidents (Image: Public Interest Lawyers)

Despite a decrease in overall fire incidents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, deliberate fires continued to pose a threat, with the service responding to 1,461 such incidents in the last year.

Across the UK, the number of incidents attended by Fire Rescue Services (FRSs) fell by 3.6 per cent in the year ending March 2024, totalling 600,324 incidents.

However, the number of fires decreased by 22 per cent, yet a worrying percentage of those were deliberate.

These fires not only waste emergency resources but also endanger lives.

Berkshire fire areas (Image: Public Interest Lawyers)

Deliberately set fires can range from bins and skips to derelict buildings and dry grassland, causing potential harm to individuals and the community.

Since 2019, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has recorded 31 injuries resulting from deliberate fires, peaking at eight in the year 2021/22.

Reading reported the highest number of fires, with a total of 1,765 incidents recorded on its station grounds.

West Berkshire and Slough followed closely, each experiencing over 1,500 incidents.

Berkshire deliberate fire injuries (Image: Public Interest Lawyers)

The physical, emotional, and financial toll of such incidents can be immense, impacting victims' sense of security and wellbeing.

Public Interest Lawyers, who conducted the investigation, offer free support to victims of burn injuries and operate a 24-hour helpline.

Despite the pandemic's impact on certain periods, the figures underline the persistent threat of arson and the need for serious consideration of its implications.

As the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service works to safeguard the community, the fight against deliberate fires remains an ongoing battle.

Firefighters continue to dedicate their efforts to tackling these incidents, which not only drain resources but also divert attention from genuine emergencies.

The service is committed to serving the community across its wide operational area, which is divided into various station grounds.

Each incident attended represents a commitment to protecting the public and property, reinforcing the importance of fire safety awareness and the need to prevent deliberate fires.