By Hayley Robinson

More than half of all the calls attended by Sittingbourne firefighters in the past year have been to blazes started deliberately.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service revealed the majority of the incidents, which involved rubbish, cars or grassland, occurred from June to August.

While the figures are lower than the previous year’s, thanks to a number of multi-agency initiatives, fire crews are urging residents to help them.

Leaflets have been delivered carrying the warning: "We can’t be in two places at the same time", and asking residents to dispose of rubbish carefully and report fire setting.

Sittingbourne station manager Gary Stanford said: "These sorts of fires can easily spread and cause widespread damage and possibly even injure or kill someone.

"They also have the potential to divert our crews from genuine emergencies, such as house fires or car crashes, so it’s a waste of valuable resources.

"We need people to know that fly-tipping and arson are both illegal and are treated seriously by the courts.

"We urge residents to help us as we continue to work with our partners in challenging this sort of anti-social behaviour."

During the past year, firefighters have been working with Kent Police and Swale council by monitoring and reporting incidents of fly-tipping as this can often lead to a deliberate fire.

Alister Andrews, environmental response manager for Swale council, said: "Anyone who produces waste has a responsibility to dispose of it appropriately.

"The effects of these actions, at a minimum, cause a considerable clean-up cost to tax payers.

"But if this waste is then set alight, the consequences can be much more severe.

"If you use a third party to dispose of your waste, you must check that they are registered to do so, and that they leave you with a ‘duty of care’ transfer note detailing who they are, what the waste was, and where they are taking it."

Report illegal fire starting to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For fire safety advice call freephone 0800 923 7000.

FACTS

Between September 1, 2009, and August 31, 2010:

212 fires of which 113 were deliberate, involving refuse, cars or grassland – 53 per cent

Between June and August there were 47 incidents of deliberate fires

There were 167 deliberate fires during the same period 2008/09.

Arson with the intent to endanger life carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Deliberate fire setting that doesn’t endanger life or cause criminal damage can lead to anti-social behaviour orders.