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More bins on Park Wood recreational ground in Maidstone set on fire

15:38, 10 July 2023

A community is continuing to be plagued with suspected arsonists after another wheelie bin was set on fire.

People living near Park Wood recreation ground in Maidstone have had to deal with constant piles of burnt rubbish and fire service call outs.

Burnt rubbish was left on the field after a wheelie bin was burnt out
Burnt rubbish was left on the field after a wheelie bin was burnt out

Last month, multiple wheelie bins, as well as council bins, were burnt out, while last week crews were sent to the green space in the early morning last Tuesday.

The local authority’s eight bins were later replaced at a cost of around £2,400 – something it says was in the works for weeks and not related to the small blazes.

Jo Morgan-Lord, who lives nearby, fumed: “To the utter idiots that were throwing aerosol cans on a fire on Park Wood field at stupid o'clock, well done, you wasted the time of two lots of emergency services and possibly cost someone their life.

“Bet your parents are so proud of what they've dragged up.”

The fire service was called to the green at around 4am after reports a bin was set alight near Rosemary Gardens.

Another bin was set on fire at Park Wood field in Maidstone
Another bin was set on fire at Park Wood field in Maidstone
The fire service was called at around 4am
The fire service was called at around 4am

One fire engine attended and used a hose reel jet to put out the flames within 15 minutes.

There were no reported injuries and it’s thoughts the fire was started deliberately.

KFRS’s group manager Dave Harris hit out at people wasting their time like this.

He said: “Deliberate fires take firefighters away from other emergencies, which can ultimately put lives at risk.

“If anyone has information about people believed to be responsible for arson, you can report it anonymously to FireStoppers by calling 0800 169 5558 or by visiting www.firestoppersreport.co.uk. If a fire is ongoing, call 999 and ask for the fire service.”

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