It was a “surprisingly quiet” Guy Fawkes weekend for Porirua’s fire service, says chief fire safety officer Russell Postlewaight but the smoke has yet to clear as staff keep a close eye out for arsons in schools.
“It was business as usual which comes down to four things: the weather, the reduced time that people could buy fireworks, more public displays and various safety campaigns,” said Mr Postlewaight.
“Keeping the awareness there all the time, we end up with a pretty safe Guy Fawkes, but it’s the only time of the year where people can wilfully light a fire and that’s when you run into trouble.”
The average number of callouts doubles for the fire service at this time of year with up to 10 arsons a month at schools in October, November and December.
Vegetation or nuisance fires at schools account for a further 15 to 20 calls per month.
“They’re a soft target for anybody wanting to go start a fire.
“We just have to be more vigilant,” Mr Postlewaight says.
He says children’s heightened awareness of, and access to, matches, lighters and incendiaries contribute to the cause.
National fire investigation and arson reduction manager Peter Wilding says schools should be acting to improve their fire safety.
“We recommend that all principals take action when staff see children lighting fires or when small fires are lit in or around the school.
“This fire-setting behaviour is dangerous and the fire service has a very successful intervention programme available that schools can call on.”
An early sign of an imminent arson attack is an increase in vandalism or graffiti, he says.
Any fires should be reported to the fire service and serious vandalism should be referred to the police.
Kapi Mana News Esther Lauaki
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