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Town fires cost taxpayer £500k | Town fires cost taxpayer £500k |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Malicious fires in Limavady have cost the taxpayer almost £500,000 in the last 18 months, according to figures from the Fire and Rescue Service. | |
The details were provided in a written answer to the town's deputy mayor, George Robinson. | The details were provided in a written answer to the town's deputy mayor, George Robinson. |
He said it was a "staggering" figure, and called on the community to help stop "this waste of public money through pure vandalism". | He said it was a "staggering" figure, and called on the community to help stop "this waste of public money through pure vandalism". |
There have been were 70 fires in the town since January this year. | |
Seven of the fires were in dwellings, with three in unoccupied houses, one in a school, three involving domestic oil tanks and seven in vehicles. | Seven of the fires were in dwellings, with three in unoccupied houses, one in a school, three involving domestic oil tanks and seven in vehicles. |
About 40 were described as secondary fires - with bins, gorse, or rubbish being set alight. | About 40 were described as secondary fires - with bins, gorse, or rubbish being set alight. |
Mr Robinson said the figure did not include the cost to the PSNI or the ambulance service, nor the money needed to repair damage to property. | Mr Robinson said the figure did not include the cost to the PSNI or the ambulance service, nor the money needed to repair damage to property. |
"Naturally no price can be put on the distress caused to those involved," he said. | "Naturally no price can be put on the distress caused to those involved," he said. |
"If anyone in Limavady thinks these malicious fires are just high spirits among some people hopefully this figure will make them think twice. | "If anyone in Limavady thinks these malicious fires are just high spirits among some people hopefully this figure will make them think twice. |
"At a time when Limavady has looking for a new fire station for the town it is a fair question to ask how far the £432,432 would have gone to provide that," he said. | "At a time when Limavady has looking for a new fire station for the town it is a fair question to ask how far the £432,432 would have gone to provide that," he said. |
The derelict Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady was set on fire in February. | The derelict Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady was set on fire in February. |
In March, more than 100 people attended a meeting organised by the PSNI in Limavady to discuss the problem of arson in the town. | In March, more than 100 people attended a meeting organised by the PSNI in Limavady to discuss the problem of arson in the town. |
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