Laws Lane hedge fire could have put lives in danger say police

That’s the warning coming from police in Banbridge following an incident in the Laws Lane area of the town on Monday, 23 June, around 5.30pm, when two males lit a fire.

Police and members of the Fire and Rescue Service attended and firefighters extinguished a small fire to prevent it spreading.

Particularly during spells of hot, dry weather, however, the police have warned that other such fires may not be so easily dealt with and may even place lives in danger.

“Hedge fires have the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment and harm to wildlife, as well as threatening homes and buildings in the area,” Constable Magennis, Banbridge Response, began.

“The unpredictability of fire can also mean that those setting them may be putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of the fire service personnel and other emergency services tasked to deal with them.

“There can also be untold consequences to tying up crucial emergency resources that may be needed elsewhere.

“The two males involved in the incident in Laws Lane are described as being in their mid to late 20s. One of the men was wearing a white shirt and had tattoos. The other man is small and was wearing dark clothes.

“If you have information in relation to this incident please contact us on the 101 non-emergency number.”