Anger at yet another blaze in Mountmellick

ANOTHER blaze that was started deliberately in Mountmellick has sparked anger and dismay among worried residents.

Firefighters had to extinguish dangerous flames at Smiths Field again last night, for the third time in the past week.

A new public walkway has been badly damaged by the series of fires, with plastic and other debris melted into the surface.

According to locals, the bonfires are set by a group of youths who collect plastic bins, tyres, pallets, rubbish and other items to set alight.

The ongoing vandalism is causing serious concern, particularly for families in the nearby Kirwan Park housing estate where some residents had to be evacuated during a major blaze last July.

Posting a photograph of the latest arson on Friday, Mountmellick Tidy Towns said on social media: ‘Another mindless fire again tonight, wasting the precious time of the fire department … these youths have no shame or consideration for their idiotic behaviour. How can we stop them before someone gets seriously injured?!’ 

With Halloween approaching, the deliberately set fires are causing huge anxiety and annoyance for residents.

Emergency services had to extinguish flames in Smiths Field twice within a few days earlier this week, after piles of household items and rubbish were set alight on the public walkway beside the bridge at College Avenue.

The dangerous bonfires have been repeatedly highlighted by the Tidy Towns group, which is involved in biodiversity conservation and other projects in Smiths Field.

The latest vandalism comes amid ongoing efforts by volunteers and Laois Co Council to improve the large field. The council installed the tarmac pathway last year to provide a safe shortcut from Harbour Street to College Avenue but is now facing costly repairs.

The Tidy Towns group has issued three public appeals this week, following three separate fires.

On Thursday, the group said: ‘Here we go again, another post, another fire, another appeal. Please, please whoever you are, STOP and think about the mindless act of vandalism you’re doing.

‘We're also appealing to people who are purposely leaving items out for these young people to collect for these fires to also STOP doing this.

‘We're also pretty sure some of you know who is setting these fires or leaving items out for them, so please name them so we can try and get this issue sorted before someone gets hurt.’ 

Two days earlier, a group spokesperson posted images of the destruction caused by another fire and said: ‘Words just aren't enough to describe the mindless vandalism. The individual(s) clearly don't realise the level of work and effort that has been done in Smiths Field and with more work yet to be done.

‘If anyone has any information on this matter, please reach out to myself or the authorities.’