A 13-year-old female has been charged in connection with what has been described as a deliberate barn fire in the Scottish highlands, according to Police Scotland.
Emergency services were called to the scene of the barn fire at Caplich Quarry in Alness, Scotland, on August 24, at approximately 7:30p.m.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had initially issued four engines to tackle the blaze, which was eventually extinguished by its crews after 24 hours on-site.
Local residents were advised to stay in indoors and close all windows to reduce risk of smoke inhalation from the barn fire.
Police Scotland has confirmed that no injuries to humans or livestock were recorded and it has submitted a report to the Children’s Reporter and Procurator Fiscal for further inspection.
The child’s motivation or reason of intent has yet to be disclosed.
Child and adolescence arson
According to a study published last year in the Fire Safety Journal, arson behaviour is reportedly present in 5% to 38% of children and adolescents in community samples.
The study identifies that family dysfunction, victimisation and psychosocial and behavioural problems emerge early in the lives of children and adolescents who set fires.
Children are more likely than adolescents to set fires in their own home and to have experienced hyperactivity problems, neglect, household deprivation and negative feelings when engaging in arson, whereas adolescents are more likely to be motivated by boredom.
Curiosity has also been cited as a significant factor in fire-related behaviour in both childhood and adolescence alike.
An additional study published in the Child Adolescent Psychiatry Mental Health Journal last year indicated that fire related incidences are far more prevalent among boys in comparison to girls, with rates ranging from 69% to 91%.
Scottish fire services are called to 20,000 fires on average every year, many of which are deliberately set, with each incident reportedly costing the tax payer an average of £2,000 (€2,378) a year.
Meanwhile in Ireland, fires services and Gardaí were called to a fire in an agricultural premises in Raphoe, Co. Donegal, on August, 22.
No subsequent injuries were reported by emergency services.
Carlow’s Eco Fire Engine
Fire Ireland has also launched the word’s first low carbon fire engine, which will join the fleet at Carlow’s Fire Station.
The engine is powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and solar energy, which will see its carbon footprint slashed by 95% in comparison to conventional diesel engines.
The €462,000 engine, built locally over six months in Tullow by HPMP Fire Ltd, was in operation from July 26, and has matched the performance and speed of it’s diesel powered counterparts, the station noted.
Chief fire officer, Liam Carroll said: “We’re extremely proud to be the first in the world to introduce a new generation of climate-friendly fire vehicles.
“Firefighting is a dangerous job where firefighters put their lives and health at risk every day to help protect the public and safety is our top priority.
“Not only will this fire engine combat climate change and improve the standards of our service but its features will make the crucial work of a firefighter that bit safer.”
