ARSONISTS targeting farmland in Barnsley are putting lives at risk - and could end up putting local farms out of business.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has issued a warning following two crop fires in Barnsley in the last week - one at Cumberland Drive and one off Stacey Crescent in Grimethorpe.
A spokesman for the fire and rescue service said:“Not only do fires like this put lives at risk by potentially diverting fire engines away from other, life threatening incidents, they also cost farmers thousands of pounds in damage.
“The maximum sentence for arson is life in prison. People do get caught and do get prosecuted, so we urge people to report arsonists to the police.”
Anyone with information about people starting fires in their area should call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
** WABer Kurt Fairhurst's photo gallery of the Grimethorpe field fire can be found here: http://www.wearebarnsley.com/photos/gallery/125/dramatic-scenes-at-grimethorpe-field-fire **
