WATCH: Two further seafront fires in Skegness as locals call for more preventative action
Calls for a ban on disposable barbecues and increased vigilance in Skegness have been made, following three seafront fires in just two weeks.
The latest two incidents, both on July 27, saw dry scrubland ignited within just an hour of each other.
The first, on sand dunes close to Butlins, was reported at 6.40pm with three crews attending. The fire burnt 250sqm of grass and gorse - but the cause was not known.
The second was reported near South Parade at 7.46pm, with one crew attending to extinguish the fire, which caused damage to around 60sqm of grassland and shrubbery. The fire service said the cause of this one was “determined to be deliberate” – but did not offer any further details on what caused it.
As previously reported, on July 17, a huge 1000sqm area of the dunes habitat near Princes Parade was destroyed in a “deliberate” fire – later found to have been ignited by a box of firelighters.
Residents and business owners are now concerned about further fires in the resort – and the potential danger it poses to lives and property.
"Recent fires on Skegness seafront show just how quickly fires can start and spread in this weather,” a spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFRS) said. “A single careless or deliberate act can have serious consequences, with large areas of natural space damaged and potentially lives put at risk.”
Following the July 27 fire at South Parade, a spokesperson for East Lindsey District Council said: “Another large fire at Skegness just goes to show how a single incident can quickly spread in dry conditions and can have a huge impact on our environment and emergency services.” They urged people to contact FireStoppers anonymously if they have “information about someone deliberately starting fires”.
Commenting on our Facebook page about the July 17 fire, Ian Gibson said: “It's most probably a BBQ that caused this, they need banning from the beach.” Deborah Hartsholme wrote: “It’s disgusting, people have no common sense anymore,” while Karen Wainwright Foottit added: “It’s frightening to think someone would deliberately start a fire and put people, homes and wildlife at risk.”
Others have suggested Skegness should have ‘beach patrols’ set up to watch out for fire hazards along the seafront.
Lincolnshire Co-op is one store to announce they are temporarily suspending the sale of disposable barbeques. A spokesperson for the company said: “As the current dry weather continues, we've temporarily removed disposable barbecues from sale as a precaution. It's a simple step that can help protect our local communities, countryside and wildlife while the risk of wildfires remains higher than usual.”
Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer at LFRS, said: “We welcome the decision from the Co-Op, it’s a really sensible position given the risk they pose in this weather. So yes, please don’t use disposable BBQs, but also please dispose of cigarettes properly and take rubbish away with you."
He added: "We’re seeing a lot of demand at the moment, and many outdoor fires we respond to are human caused and preventable. The ground is tinder dry and it only takes the smallest of sparks to start fires that can spread very quickly.”