Thugs deliberately setting fires in Glasgow responsible for one-in-five call outs

A report by city fire chiefs says while some affect occupied buildings, vehicles and outdoor structures, the majority of deliberate fires involve rubbish bins, loose rubbish and grassland.

It adds: "Deliberate fire setting is regarded as anti-social behaviour and is also criminal in nature.

"These acts can lead to serious consequences such as personal injury, damage to property and the environment.

"Dealing with instances of deliberate fire setting also diverts fire and rescue resources from other meaningful activities."

In the financial year 2016-17, there was a slight increase in fire brigade call outs - up 1.5% from the five year average of 14,204 to 14,421.

But there has been a marked decrease in the number of domestic fires in the city over the same period.

The report says: "Accidental dwelling fires continue to decrease steadily. The provision of smoke alarms has significantly reduced the severity of fires in most occasions with the majority of incidents being extinguished in their initial stages.

"However, the local fire and rescue plan recognises much more needs to be done in relation to the reduction of accidental dwelling fires as the number of fire related casualties has risen slightly from the fire year average of 153 to 172 during 2016-17."

One of the most significant fires dealt with in recent months was in the Blochairn Fruitmarket when a blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning in August.

Workers evacuated the building and watched in horror as fire ripped along the roof of the premises.

It took around 12 hours to get the inferno under control and at the height of the fire, crews were using 12 appliances and four aerial firefighting platforms.

It was revealed last month that there was no evidence the fire had been started deliberately.

Cooking is the most common cause of accidental house fires in the city and the most common cause of injury suffered by residents.

People getting distracted has been identified as contributing to accidental fires.

Jim Hymas, local senior officer for Glasgow, said the demands on the fire service were likely to rise in the coming years as the population is due to rise 10% and the elderly population increases.

He said: "Over the next 20 years, the 65 to 74 age group is estimated to increase the most in size. "Although being older is not a specific risk on its own right, risk is increased when age is combined with other factors such as living alone and living in poverty.

"Physical and mental health issue also contribute to an increase in risk."

He said the service would play a 'key part' in public sector reform, adding: "Our plan will therefore seek to focus on those areas of demand to maximise the potential to work in partnership and by using our capacity more effectively and innovatively to ensure we direct our resources to the point of need within our communities to protect those most at risk from harm.

"As the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continues to evolve, we will seek to play a key part in public service reform and identify new opportunities to broaden our role within society to ensure we continue to protect Glasgow's communities."

In a bid to reduce the number of house fires and injuries, the fire service plans to promote and undertake home safety visits to those deemed most at risk.

Call outs to fire alarms being activated unnecessarily in commercial buildings account for 38% of all calls received in Glasgow which fire chiefs say are a drain on resources.

The report said: "This impacts on all other Scottish Fire and Rescue Service activities in Glasgow, such as training and preventative work as well as diverting the resources available to attend genuine emergencies.

"There is also a financial cost in terms of unnecessary vehicle movements and the disruption of the normal business of the premises affected."

Fire crews also respond to a range of none-fire related emergencies with the most common in the city being flooding and road traffic accidents.