Three fires in Wisbech in 14 hours prompts expert to issue warning

Crews tackled three fires in Wisbech, including an arson, in the space of 14 hours.

At 6.32pm on Sunday, a crew from Wisbech was called to a building fire in Market Place.

A fire had broken out involving the door frame of a shop and firefighters extinguished it using a hose reel. The fascia was also dampened down. The cause of the fire was accidental, by smoking materials.

A CFRS spokesman said: “If you are a smoker, please make sure you put out cigarettes and other smoking materials responsibly and that they are properly extinguished before you discard them.”

At 11.37pm on Sunday, sheds and two fences were set on fire in Sybil Road.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

At 8.21am yesterday, two crews from Wisbech were called to a building fire in Europa Way, Wisbech.

A corner of a portable building was well alight and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire by 8.50am. Positive pressure ventilation fans were also used. The cause of the fire was accidental.

Watch Commander Phil Pilbeam said: “A fire was started by workers in a brazier that was unfortunately located too closely to combustible materials against the portable building.

“The fire spread and the building quickly became involved.

“It is important to remember that if you are lighting any type of open fire to do so well away from property or other combustible materials like fencing and vegetation.”