Police warn after deliberate fires lit behind Callington Tesco

Blackened earth, scorched branches and a scattering of burnt debris are what officers found when they walked the land behind Tesco in Callington. The fires there were not an accident. They were lit on purpose, and police want them to stop before someone gets hurt.

Callington Police say they were recently made aware of fires being deliberately started on the land, and they have since visited to see the damage for themselves. Their message, shared by PCSO Jo, is short and direct. Please do not light fires, especially in this hot, dry weather.

📷Credit: Callington Police

What officers found on the land behind Tesco

The photographs taken by the team show the extent of it. Ground burnt bare, the remains of a fire spread across a track, and heat damage running up into the dried-out branches and undergrowth at the edge of the field. It is the kind of scene that spreads further than whoever lit it ever intended.

The spot sits close to businesses, homes and places that people pass through every day. That is a large part of why the police are concerned. A fire in an open, overgrown patch like this does not stay in one place for long.

📷Credit: Callington Police

Why a small fire is a big risk right now

With so little rain recently, the ground and vegetation are extremely dry. That changes everything about how a fire behaves. What might smoulder harmlessly after a wet spell can, in these conditions, catch and race through dead grass, bracken and fallen wood in moments.

“Even a small fire can spread very quickly,” PCSO Jo said. “What may seem like a bit of fun can very quickly put lives at risk, damage property, harm wildlife, and take valuable emergency service resources away from other incidents.”

That last point matters. Every crew sent to a deliberately lit fire is a crew not available for the next real emergency somewhere else in the area.

📷Credit: Callington Police

The law on setting fires on purpose

Deliberately setting a fire is a serious offence. If a fire is started recklessly or intentionally and puts people or property at risk, the person responsible could be arrested and prosecuted for arson. The penalties are significant and can include a prison sentence.

This is not framed as a threat so much as a reminder of where a bit of fun can lead. A moment with a lighter on dry ground close to homes is a long way from harmless.

What to do if you see a fire being lit

The police are asking the community to help keep the area safe in two ways. Do not light fires, and report anyone seen doing so. If you witness a fire being started, or one that is already spreading, call 999 immediately.

You can also follow updates and pass information to the local team through the Callington Police Facebook page.

“Thank you for helping us look after our local community,” PCSO Jo said. “Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine responsibly.”

📷Credit: Callington Police