Outrage as youths slash firefighters' hoses

Youths damaged eight hoses and the tyres of a fire officer's car.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at the derelict site of a school in Edinburgh at 8:29pm on Wednesday. At the height of the blaze, 50 firefighters and ten engines were involved.

However, as the crews tackled the blaze, three youths are believed to have slashed the fire hoses with knives, causing damage estimated at 16,000.

The fire in Muirhouse was brought under control in the early hours yesterday, but three engines were still at the scene last night at Craigroyston High School in Pennywell Road.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: "Eight lengths of hoses were slashed. That slowed down the process of tackling the fire. The consequences could have been much more serious. This kind of act is unacceptable."

David Mackie, Group Incident Manager for Lothian and Borders Fire, said: "It was a large blaze in a number of buildings, including single-storey and three-storey buildings.

"Slashing the fire hose was a very dangerous and a stupid act of vandalism, which could have resulted in disastrous consequences. One of our crew also had his car tyre slashed while he was fighting the blaze.

"The fire is still smouldering now, and we have called in a demolition company, who will start to take the building down piece by piece.

"Eight lengths of hoses were slashed, which we estimate could cost around 2,000 to replace.

"This slowed down the process of tackling the fire. The consequences could have been much more serious. This kind of act is unacceptable."

A 14-year-old boy was charged in connection with the fire on Thursday night. A report will be sent to the Children's Reporter.

Police said they were trying to trace other suspects and were following a positive line of inquiry.

Inspector Sandy Boyd, of Lothian and Borders Police, said they were treating the fire and vandalism as a major incident.

He added: "The fire and the subsequent damage to the hoses are quite simply mindless acts of vandalism, which required significant resources from the fire service and the police.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who has any information that can help us track down those responsible, and I would urge people to get in touch with us if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of old Craigroyston High School before the fire broke out.

"In particular, we want to trace the three male youths who were seen close to the scene, as they may have information that can help us.

"Similarly, anyone who witnessed the subsequent vandalism to the fire hoses, or who has any information, should come forward as a matter of urgency."

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, called for a change in the law to protect fire equipment.

She said: "This is absolutely outrageous. Just as it is unacceptable to attack emergency service personnel who are risking their lives to save others, vandalising life-saving equipment is not on.

"Boredom is not an excuse for this type of behaviour. We need to drum home that this reckless behaviour can cost lives and will not be tolerated."

She added: "The Scottish Parliament has passed laws making it an aggravated offence to attack emergency personnel. We need to work out why the message isn't getting through to this minority of young people."