Firefighters in Warwickshire have issued a warning to parents after a series of 'extremely dangerous' fires at a park in Leamington Spa, which they believe were started deliberately. The incidents involved aerosols being placed inside cardboard boxes and set alight, and have been linked to a wider social media trend.
Deliberate fires at The Holt park
Crews have been called to 'multiple' incidents at The Holt over recent weeks. The fires, which appear to have been started intentionally, pose a serious risk to both the environment and local residents, according to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue.
The warning follows earlier alerts from police forces across the UK that young people are taking part in social media challenges to see who can 'light the biggest fire'.
Police concern over exploding aerosols
A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: "What we’re seeing is particularly concerning. Some of the young people involved are placing aerosol cans inside cardboard boxes before setting them alight, causing the aerosols to explode."
"While this may seem like a bit of fun to those involved, it is extremely dangerous. When aerosol cans explode, they can send sharp pieces of metal flying at high speed, causing serious injuries not only to those lighting the fires but also to anyone nearby. Even standing back as a bystander does not make you safe."
Risk of spreading fires
The spokesman added: "With the recent hot, dry weather and the devastating fires we’ve all seen in the news, the risk of one of these fires spreading into surrounding woodland or nearby properties is very real. It would only take one gust of wind for a small fire to become a major incident."
Police said some of the young people involved "have already been identified and will be dealt with appropriately", but the emphasis is now on parents to prevent further incidents.
Parents urged to talk to children
The spokesperson said: "We’re asking parents and carers to please have a conversation with your children. Do you know where they are spending their time? Do they understand the risks? A few minutes of conversation today could prevent a tragedy tomorrow. These are your children, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews."
"Please don’t assume someone else knows where they are or that 'they’ll be fine.' Ask where they’re going. Ask who they’re with. Check in on them. Have the difficult conversation, even if it earns you an eye roll."
"It only takes one poor decision for a child to be left with catastrophic injuries, or worse. We’d far rather see a young person annoyed because their parent came to collect them than stand with a family after a preventable tragedy wondering if anything more could have been done."
Earlier this month, West Mercia Police warned farmers in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire to be alert to a TikTok challenge that allegedly sees participants "set fire to as much stuff as possible" after a number of incidents involving haybales. A notice said: "I know the farming community will be aware of the dangers of the dry weather, but if it is possible to send out a message to all your members to be extra vigilant."
