Youths start fire in Warndon - residents fed up with actions

Firefighters had put out a fire in a park off Shap Drive in Worcester yesterday evening (Tuesday), which they said was set alight by young people.

It is one of a number of fires in Warndon parks due to antisocial behaviour - including four in Turners Close play park in just eight months.

Councillor Jill Desayrah said residents are rightly fed up with living with the consequences of antisocial behaviour, and she is fighting to tackle the issue.

READ MORE: Fears of 'horrific consequences' amid spate of fires in city park

Remains of a bonfire in the shrubbery of Turners Close Park. (Image: Submitted) “I’m very sorry to hear of yet another fire in Warndon," she said.

"Apart from the obvious danger they can pose, there’s also damage to property and the environment that cannot be afforded.

"I hope no one was injured in this case and that it can be cleared up quickly. But the root causes of ASB remain.

"So many years of neglecting youth services comes at a price.

"Fixing these problems will take time, money and effort, and I’ll be fighting for ways to tackle these problems on behalf of the local communities, who are rightly so fed up with living with the consequences.”

A Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said they were called to the incident at 7.02pm on November 5.

"A fire set by youths in Warndon Park was extinguished by the crew using a knapsack," they said.

"There were no casualties and no other emergency services were required but police were informed.

"The incident was parked as pending closure at 7.43pm."

West Mercia Police said they were aware of the incident and no arrests have been made.

A spokesperson added: "We received a fire report on Shap Drive in Worcester at around 7.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, November 5).

"The fire was subsequently put out. No arrests were made."

Last night was Guy Fawkes night, which marks when Catholic plotters had intended to assassinate their protestant king, James I.