Arson suspected as crews called out to two farm fires

Published on 29th March 2007 in News

Police are investigating two suspected arson attacks on farms in Old Goole this week.

Firefighters first went to Johnsons Farm on Swinefleet Road at 7.20pm and found a wooden barn well alight.

They called for assistance and crews from Goole, Howden and Snaith helped tackle the blaze with main jets and breathing apparatus.

The barn, which measured 30 metres by 20 metres, suffered 50 per cent damage.

And on Tuesday night, shortly before midnight, firefighters had to tackle another blaze, this time at Field House Farm on Swinefleet Road.

They found the first floor of the unoccupied farm well alight and used ladders and main jets to tackle the fire.

It was too dangerous for the crews to enter the building.

The farm is on the same site as the barn and it is thought that vandals are systematically destroying the site.

The incidents are being treated as arson and Glenn Ramsden, spokesperson for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, warned: "Arson is a criminal offence which carries with it substantial penalties.

"Clearly, it also puts life at risk and the fire crews were put at risk by fighting the fire.

"Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is determined to reduce the number of arson attacks in the Service area.

"The public need to realise that we will always pass information relating to arson on to Humberside Police."

Mr Ramsden also warned young people against using disused buildings as playgrounds.