Fire crews called to 100 deliberate blazes in city

Fire crews in York have been called to more than 100 deliberately set fires in the last six months.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said areas targeted included Tang Hall, The Clifton Backies and St Nicks Nature Reserve and Environment Centre.

The service said it was working with North Yorkshire Police and partner agencies to address deliberate fires and anti-social behaviour wherever concerns arise.

Watch Manager Sy Wray said even a small fire "can endanger lives" and ahead of the school holidays urged parents and carers to check in on their children's plans and warn of the dangerous consequences of fire.

Wray said intentionally starting fires was against the law and could have "serious repercussions for the future in terms of employment prospects for individuals who have historical involvement with anti-social fire setting".

He said Operation FireSafe was launched in March 2025 with the service working alongside North Yorkshire Police and other agencies.

It aims to help "educate children and young adults about the dangers of fire" and for them to understand the consequences of their actions "before somebody suffers serious harm either as a direct, or indirect result of these incidents".

Act Sgt Ben Ambler said they alongside fire crews had been deployed to a number of deliberate fires across the city throughout the year.

He said it places "significant demand on resources".

He added: "Starting a deliberate fire is extremely dangerous and it can endanger lives, destroy property and have devastating consequences for individuals, families and the wider community."

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