WILMSLOW’S blue light services are warning residents that deliberate hay fires in the town are putting lives at risk.

The warning comes after Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Cheshire Police have investigated three fires in a field off Styal Road over the past month – the most recent preventing Wilmslow firefighters from attending an emergency in the town.

Hay was set on fire in a livestock feeder on the evening of Friday, March 10, before a second fire occurred in the same area on Saturday, March 25, when at least a tonne of hay had been set alight.

Firefighters were called out to the field for a third time at 4.59pm yesterday (March 27), after three large hay bales had been ignited while at least 10 horses remained in the field.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue is now warning residents against the dangers of arson, which could harm fire crews, road users allowing fire engines to pass, and the offenders themselves.

Kevin Grace, Wilmslow watch manager at Cheshire Fire and Rescue, said: “With incidents like these it is only a matter of time before someone sustains serious injury or, worse, is killed.

“We work very closely with the police and other partner agencies to tackle this ongoing issue of deliberate fires, and this will continue, but we also need residents to be aware and help us where they can.

“The crime of arson is extremely dangerous.  Fire spreads quickly so what may seem like a small fire can easily become out of control.

“Not only do these fires put the lives of firefighters at risk, they also cause considerable danger to the public because responding to incidents of arson could delay firefighters in getting to a real emergency.”

As Wilmslow firefighters tackled yesterday’s hay fire, a crew from Poynton was required to tackle a car fire on the A538, and the service claims it would have been ‘stretched’ had any more emergency calls been made in the town.

“What arsonists don't realise is that it could be their friends of family members who are in need of rescue in an emergency,” Kevin said.

PC Jane Bannerman, investigating officer from Cheshire Police, added: “Arson is a serious crime which can have devastating consequences on innocent members of the public.

“I urge anyone with any information in relation to these incidents to contact the team here at Macclesfield on 101.”

Any witnesses should call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.