County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) is warning children and families about the dangers of deliberately starting fires in Bishop Auckland as temperatures rise and the school summer holidays approach.
Station Manager Wayne Thompson said that 92% of fires attended by crews at Bishop Auckland station during April, May and June last year were deliberate — a total of 126 incidents across three key areas: West Auckland, Bishop Auckland Town and Dene Valley.
Last year, Bishop Auckland recorded 371 deliberate fires in total. So far in 2026, there have been 40.
Why the warning now?
CDDFRS typically sees a spike in arson incidents during school holidays and warm weather. The service wants to stress that what children might think is harmless — setting fire to a bin or patch of grass — poses serious risks.
Station Manager Thompson said: "Kids might think that setting fire to a bin or bit of grass is just a bit of fun. But we want to stress that not only are they putting themselves and others at risk of injury, but they could also be preventing crews from being available to attend critical incidents like house fires, road traffic collisions, water related incidents."
Legal consequences
Arson is a crime that can result in prosecution and may have lasting implications for future education and employment opportunities.
CDDFRS is encouraging parents and families to talk to their children and young people about the dangers and serious consequences of deliberately setting fires.
What's being done
The service and Durham Constabulary carry out regular patrols of hotspot areas in Bishop Auckland to deter further incidents and provide reassurance to residents.
Anyone with information on deliberate fires can report it anonymously by calling FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or visiting www.firestoppersreport.co.uk.