Deliberate fires at sports centre 'risking lives'
BBCYouths are "putting people's lives in danger" after two fires were lit within three days outside a community-owned sports centre.
Paula Bihari, manager of Ferryhill Sports and Education Centre in County Durham, said staff already received "a lot of abuse" at work but the fires could result in fatalities.
A fire was started in the bushes outside the centre on 28 March, and another outside a fire exit on 30 March with plastic bollards also thrown on it producing "horrendous" smoke.
Spennymoor station manager Gary Greenwood said the fires were "deliberate" and firefighters would continue to work with Durham Police to reduce the number of incidents.
Bihari said in both instances staff members came across the fires and raised the alarm.
She said: "On Saturday, we had a big event on and one of the staff went outside and said they [youths] had set the bushes on fire.
"I helped put it out with a fire extinguisher and the fire service arrived to get it all under control."
She said youths setting the fires know where the CCTV cameras are at the centre and avoid them or cover their faces.
"We do get a lot of grief from kids anyway, the staff get a lot of abuse.
"My worry is they set a fire late at night and nobody sees it, we would have no idea," she said. "It is putting people's lives in danger."
The fires have been reported to Durham Police and a meeting has been held with the neighbourhood officer to try to prevent future incidents.
Sgt Craig McGuire said: "We are aware of the incidents and as a result have increased police patrols in the area.
"However, these particular incidents were not reported to police at the time - we would encourage people to always report incidents as soon as possible so we are able to take robust action."