A member of Ross-on-Wye Fire Crew has spoken to the Ross Gazette, wishing to make it clear that they do not believe several recent fires in the local area are linked. They know that some of the fires have started accidentally, and this has been exacerbated by the hot, dry weather.

Local residents contacted the Ross Gazette, after Ross-on-Wye fire crew were called to extinguish several fires in the local area. Some people have been under the impression that some of the fires have been started deliberately.

There were fears for the safety of an electricity substation, on Sunday, August 14th, after a large conifer tree, at the Rope Walk, was found well alight in close proximity to it.

The fire was discovered on Sunday, at approximately 7.40pm. Local residents and customers in the Hope and Anchor pub, who witnessed the fire, gave their accounts to the Ross Gazette.

A group had been inside the pub, waiting for a quiz to begin. Outside the window, they believed they could see snow, and upon closer inspection, they discovered it was ash.

They then heard a large ‘whoosh’ sound, which they described as similar to the noise a hot air balloon makes, and they saw the fire quickly climb to reach the top of the tree.

One of the eyewitnesses alleged that they saw fire lighters underneath the tree.

Ross-on-Wye fire crew were called to the scene. They extinguished the fire with a hose reel jet, but remained at the scene to ensure that sparks did not cause a second fire.

The fire was reported on the Ross Gazette’s website on Monday. Some local residents commented on the Gazette’s Facebook wall, echoing fears that the fire could had been started on purpose.

Peter Martin wrote:?“It seems pyromania has been added to the list of merry japes the local scallywags are adding to their repertoire.”

Jill Ireland commented:?“Second arson attack, the bins last week. Must be found. What next?”

There have also been numerous other fires in Ross-on-Wye, during the past week. The most recent took place on Monday, August 15th at 8.30pm. Ross fire crew extinguished a hedgerow with a hose reel on Grammar School Close.

Ross fire crew have also been called to two separate fires on Homs Road. On Sunday, August 14th, at 8.45pm, a tree, a trampoline and a quantity of rubbish was alight, and extinguished by the fire crew, using a hose reel jet.

The day previously, on Saturday, August 13th, at 4.30pm, a large quantity of garden waste was found to be on fire, and Ross fire crew extinguished this, again using a hose-reel jet.

On Tuesday, August 9th, a ten metre hedgerow on Brampton Road was on fire at midnight, and Ross fire crew attended to extinguish the fire.

The Ross Gazette contacted Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police to enquire as to whether these fires were being treated as suspicious.

A member of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service commented that the fires are unconnected, but they added that they wanted people to be really careful in this hot weather as everything is getting so dry.

A spokesperson for West Mercia police told the Ross Gazette that they have not received any reports of arson in Ross-on-Wye, since August 7th. Last week, the Gazette reported that litter bins at the Rope Walk had been set alight, during the early hours of the morning.

The spokesperson for West Mercia Police told the Ross Gazette that three people were seen leaving the area. The police are appealing for anyone with any information about this incident to come forward. If you can help, please call 101 and give the reference number: 261-S-100816.

However, if local people do have cause to believe that the fires may have been started on purpose, it is vital that this information is reported to the police, by calling 101.

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Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have also issued some safety advice, after fire crews across the two counties have seen a recent surge of fires in open spaces.

These safety tips include:

• Extinguish cigarettes properly, don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.

• Take your rubbish with you, especially glass bottles, which can magnify the sun’s rays and start a fire as well as hurt people and animals.

• Avoid open fires in the countryside. Always have them in safe designated areas.

• If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.

• Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.

• Landowners and Land Managers are also advised, where possible, to ensure that fire breaks are cut and well maintained with any cut grasses and vegetation removed from the site.

• Remember that arson is a crime and will be prosecuted.