A warning has been issued to summer holiday firebugs as crews tackled a series of small, deliberate blazes over the weekend.
Two of the incidents happened on Friday in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. The first emergency call came in at 9.52am and reported a small fire in the open near the skate park, which is believed to have been started using aerosol products.
By the time crews from the nearby fire station on Queensway arrived at the scene the fire had gone out, but they were called again later that day at 5.33pm to another suspicious blaze in one of the park’s public toilet blocks.
This was extinguished using backpack sprayers.
A third suspicious fire in a bin was reported near Leys Road in Bennetts End at 2.18pm on Saturday. This was put out in just 11 minutes.
Herts Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Gemma McKelvey said: “Arson is extremely dangerous. It puts lives and property at risk and costs taxpayers money. It is a criminal offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“While our crews are dealing with arson incidents they are diverted away from other emergencies and community safety work. Our message is simple – we will not tolerate arson in Hertfordshire.”