Figures released by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service suggest that deliberate fire raising is on the increase in Buchan’s largest town.
The service’s senior officer in the north-east, David Rout, will discuss the rising number of blazes in Peterhead at a meeting with local councillors tomorrow.
In his report, which covers the last quarter of 2015, he said the numbers of fire casualties and deliberate fires had both gone up, in comparison to the same period 12 months ago.
Mr Rout branded the casualties – both non-fatal – as “unfortunate”.
He added: “We will work towards reducing this figure by carrying out case studies for all fire casualties, and delivering targeted approach to home fire safety visits.”
The officer confirmed that the deliberate fires that units were called out to were “predominately” the result of bonfires and rubbish fires.
A total of 23 incidents were reported in the last quarter of 2015, compared to 2014, when fire crews were called out to 13 blazes.
Firefighters are now expected to visit schools to warn children of the dangers which deliberate fires can pose.
Mr Rout said: “We continue to work to reduce these types of incident through partnership working with the local policing team, school visits and community engagement.”
There was some good news, however, from the report which highlighted that there was one fewer accidental house fire in Peterhead.
Units were also called to fewer local road traffic collisions.
Mr Rout said: “During this reporting period, we have seen a decrease in RTCs attended from eight to four.
“Due to the location of the incidents, I plan to hold a safety event within the Peterhead area to target commuter drivers.”
Last night, Anne Allan, a member of the town’s community safety group, welcomed new initiatives for drivers.
She added that although the figures highlighted an increase in deliberate fires, work was being done behind the scenes by local groups which should be reflected when Mr Rout gave his next update.
She said: “About a year ago, there was a problem. But we got Theatre Modo involved and it has since disappeared.
“Obviously we won’t see [the benefits of] that for another year.”
Theatre Modo, which trains children in circus skills after school, has been offering sessions in the town centre for the past year.