Teenager charged after willful fireraising in Aberdeen
A teenager has been been charged in connection with wilful fireraising incidents in Aberdeen.
A teenager has been been charged in connection with wilful fireraising incidents in Aberdeen.
They're said to have happened outside Quarryhill Primary School, Northfield Swimming Pool and Alan Douglas Park on Tuesday, April 12th.
The 14-year-old girl who's been charged is to be reported to the Youth Justice Management Unit.
No one was hurt during any incident, and the fires were extinguished quickly.
Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information regarding any similar incident is being urged to contact police.
PC Catriona Denham, of the Mastrick Community Policing Team, said: "Such mindless and irresponsible acts could escalate very quickly and easily, and it goes without saying that if these fireraising incidents get out of hand the danger and damage they can cause could be immeasurable.
"As the nights get lighter and youngsters spend more time outdoors, I would urge parents to keep an eye on where their kids are going and where they are congregating. We are proud to live in areas where the vast majority of young people always act within the law, and it is always disappointing when a minority act irresponsibly.
Area Manager Duncan Smith, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s local senior officer for Aberdeen, said: “Deliberate fires risk lives and those who set them often have no idea how they will develop or who will be affected.
“A fire is out of control from the moment it begins and flames, heat and smoke can all kill.
“What begins as a small fire involving rubbish can potentially spread rapidly to homes and businesses, with the toxic smoke also polluting the local atmosphere and threatening people in the vicinity.”
He added: “Even if a fire stays small, putting it out means at least one of our crews would be unavailable to respond if a real emergency happened at the same time.
“When someone is trapped in a house fire or after a serious collision on the road it’s absolutely vital firefighters can quickly get to them.
“People who start fires need to ask how they would feel if someone was killed or suffered horrific injury because other firefighters had to be sent from further away to cover for those dealing with a needless incident.”