WESTERN BUREAU:
THERE WAS a 38 per cent increase in fires in Trelawny last year, which the fire department is blaming on arsonists and the hot temperature, experienced throughout most of the period.
Head of the parish's fire service, Deputy Superintendent Robert Clayton informed that for 2000 there were 165 fires as opposed to 119 for 1999. He noted, though, that there was a marked decrease in property damage, down from 1999's $13.7 million to 2000 $11.2 million.
"In other areas for 2000, there were 21 malicious false alarms, 9 false alarms with good intent, and 26 special service engagement," he said.
The Deputy Superintendent said there was a dramatic increase in sugar cane fires with almost all of these being linked to arsonists. The owners of these are reporting not giving permission to anyone to engage in such activities.
He said his department is going to be even more vigilant and will be bringing the culprits to book for such crimes.
He warned against persons who use fires as a means of garbage disposal saying this had contributed to many of the fires in the parish by getting out of control.
The fire chief also had a strong word of warning for those young women who leave children at home unattended, quiet often to attend places of amusement. He said this is both dangerous and illegal. He also warned that these guilty ones would also be brought to book.
