Labour MP Louise Haigh has praised firefighters working under intense pressure to tackle wildfires across Sheffield, warning that anyone found to have started fires deliberately should face the “full force of the law”.
The Sheffield Heeley MP described the impact of the fires on communities and wildlife as “absolutely devastating”, as hot and dry conditions increased the risk of fires spreading rapidly.
Haigh said the Labour Government had been working to ensure local fire and rescue services were properly supported as crews responded to a number of major incidents across the country.
She said:
“Awful to see wildfires across Sheffield during the heatwave and it’s absolutely devastating to see the impact of this on our local wildlife and our communities.
“The Government has been ensuring that local fire and rescue services are sufficiently supported in the number of major incidents across the country and my thoughts and gratitude are with the firefighters who are risking their own safety to keep people safe.”
Haigh warned that prolonged hot and dry weather meant fires could quickly become uncontrollable, threatening homes as well as local habitats.
She added that firefighters were “working incredibly hard under such enormous pressures” and issued a firm warning over any suggestion that fires may have been deliberately started.
“If it is found that these fires have been started deliberately then it is right that the perpetrators will face the full force of the law.”
Haigh also urged residents to follow advice issued by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue to minimise the risk of further incidents.
Residents have been asked to leave barbecues at home, avoid garden bonfires, take rubbish away with them and dispose of cigarettes carefully. Anyone witnessing people deliberately starting fires has been encouraged to report it anonymously to FireStoppers, while people should call 999 in an emergency.
The warning comes as firefighters contend with exceptionally challenging conditions during the heatwave, with dry vegetation making grass and woodland fires particularly difficult to contain.
Haigh encouraged constituents who have been directly affected by the fires to contact her office for assistance.
Sheffield’s emergency response has highlighted the work of frontline fire and rescue crews as communities across the country contend with the consequences of sustained hot and dry weather.
