Arsonists are thought to be behind several fires that have occurred next to a children's playground in Easton. In the early hours of Saturday morning (July 8) firefighters were called out to extinguish the latest blaze on Belle Vue Road after residents woke up to the sound of crackling and the smell of smoke.
This is the second time in the past few months that fly-tipped rubbish has been set on fire next to the children’s playground. And neighbours can recall six recent fires in the nearby area, including one when a resident’s bin was set alight.
Anu Brown and Rajat Gogna were told about the recent fire by a friend who had spotted the couple's car parked close to the blaze. By the time they arrived at the scene the firefighters had put out the fire but one of the headlights had already melted.
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The repair work will cost £120 as they do not want to claim the money back on insurance due to the premium going up. Anu, who witnessed the previous blaze when a mattress was set alight, said she believes that on both occasions the fires were intentional.
Anu said: “I remember when there was a fire by the tree. I think someone did that intentionally and with this one as well. There were so many mattresses skipped that day and they had been set on fire, I can’t imagine it happening by accident.
“When we came out this time it was six in the morning and it was already done. If we take insurance it will be expensive next year, so we are just going to pay for it.”
Claire Fryer, a health visitor who lives close to the park, said that the sound of crackling had woken her up in the early hours of Saturday morning. She called the fire brigade along with other neighbours.
She said: “The fires are generally at night. The last one was at about 4.30am by the play park.
“It is probably an arsonist. One of the firefighters requested that us residents call the council in a timely fashion to remove anything fly-tipped to reduce the potential for further fires. I agree with this and I hope that the services work together to this end too. My children were terrified when my neighbour's bin was set on fire and they woke to the sound of fire engines in the street outside our house.”
The bin that was located next the the play park on Belle Vue Road had become a popular fly-tipping spot. Neighbours recall the bin, which has since been removed, being set on fire on several occasions.
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “There have been regular fires in the bin when it was there and now on the pavement where fly-tipping has always been an issue. At least six that I can recall.
“It has killed the tree. Our streets are filthy and our small parks are neglected, I’m sure there is no equivalent mess in Clifton.”
A spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to reports of a fire on Belle Vue. Crews from Temple and Southmead attended and found a small amount of rubbish alight. Firefighters used one high-pressure hose reel to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is thought to be deliberate.
“In the last 12 months, we have attended five incidents on Belle Vue Road, Easton. This includes one wheelie bin fire, one water leak, a small fire in a domestic property that was out on our arrival, rescuing a trapped bird and the fire explained above.”
