Plea issued to parents and guardians after deliberate fires started in North Yorkshire

The fire service say that in the last few weeks they have attended a number of small outdoor fires which were started deliberately, and they believe some were started by children and young people.

Firefighters are asking that parents and guardians check what their children are up to, especially as people can now meet again in groups during the Easter holidays.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "You can help keep your families safe by keeping matches and lighters somewhere out of the reach of children, talking to them about fire safety and fitting smoke alarms on every level of your home.

"We'd also like to remind you to be careful if you're burning garden waste or having barbecues following a few of these fires that have spread out of control.

"Don't build garden bonfires near sheds and hedges and avoid having them on windy days when embers can easily be blown."

Top fire safety tips for children from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue:

Deliberately starting fires is usually a criminal offence and even small fires can endanger lives.

Fire spreads quickly and can be unpredictable.

Playing with fire in the home or garden can have serious unintended consequences.

Fires outside can easily get out of control and cause damage to woodland, moorland and wildlife.

If you are worried that your child is playing with fire you can get confidential advice by calling (freephone) 0800 074 0064 or emailing [email protected]