Fireball terror warning to children

Jun 20 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

YOUNG arsonists using fuel to start fires at a rundown business park were yesterday warned they could turn themselves into human fireballs.

It’s feared kids as young as 12 who are fooling around with petrol and other flammable materials left in derelict buildings could end up trapped and burned alive.

Last night fire and police bosses urged youngsters not to play with fire.

And they sent out a stark message to the culprits: “You are dicing with death.”

They appealed to the fireraisers to stop starting blazes before a terrible tragedy happens.

The plea not to start fires comes after eight separate outbreaks within weeks erupting at the sprawling Shanks Industrial Estate off Blackbyres Road, Barrhead.

The most serious of the outbreaks was at a recycling plant which was destroyed and caused damage estimated at a staggering £1,000,000.

Firefighters were at the scene for days extinguishing pockets of flames which were rekindled by piles of smouldering cardboard, plastic and waste paper.

There has been seven other fires at the Shanks Estate at different derelict buildings and an empty mobile cabin.

A fire spokesman said: “Deliberate fires are continuing at Shanks and that’s worrying.

“There are often a lot of flammable materials around derelict buildings and if youngsters are playing with matches or a lighter they could so easily be engulfed in flames.

“If that tragically happened a child would be horribly injured and even lose their life.

“It’s too much of a risk – don’t play with fire.”

Now, on the run-up to the school summer break fire officials have returned to the classroom to talk to hundreds of first and second year pupils in a bid to save lives.

A spokesman said: “Officers are speaking to secondary pupils and telling them about the dangers.

“We can only hope everyone takes the safety message to heart and we do not end up with a targedy on our hands.”