13/04/2007
Youths accused of starting forest fires
Two youngsters have been accused of deliberately starting a forest fire in a forest park in County Down.
The two youths, thought to be in their early teens, were spotted starting five separate fires at Rourke's Park, near Annalong last night, according to the Fire and Rescue Service.
Brian Irvine of the Fire Service said the lives of the officers had been unnecessarily put at risk.
"We have been forced to put our men on the mountainside because people have deliberately lit fires.
"They might have thought it was a bit of a joke, but they are actually risking people's lives," he said.
Four fire appliances had to work through hours of darkness to put out the fires near a 100ft drop at Rourke's Park.
An investigation has been launched by the PSNI, and they are looking for the two youths.
(JM)
The two youths, thought to be in their early teens, were spotted starting five separate fires at Rourke's Park, near Annalong last night, according to the Fire and Rescue Service.
Brian Irvine of the Fire Service said the lives of the officers had been unnecessarily put at risk.
"We have been forced to put our men on the mountainside because people have deliberately lit fires.
"They might have thought it was a bit of a joke, but they are actually risking people's lives," he said.
Four fire appliances had to work through hours of darkness to put out the fires near a 100ft drop at Rourke's Park.
An investigation has been launched by the PSNI, and they are looking for the two youths.
(JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.