The neighbourhood police team in Bradley Stoke is asking parents and carers to speak with their children about the dangers of starting fires after firefighters were called out five times over a period of less than two weeks to deal with small fires in a local wood.

Fire service crews from Patchway, Kingswood and Portishead fire stations attended the incidents, all of which were located in Savages Wood (behind Bradley Stoke leisure Centre). Two of the incidents were separated by less than three hours (on Sunday 12th May).

High pressure hose reels were used to extinguish the fires in three of the incidents with an aqua backpack and a bucket being used in the other two. In all cases, it is thought that the fires had been started deliberately.

Police attendance was not required on 12th May, however, following a further incident on 13th May, they were made aware that fire crews had spoken with teenagers who were in the area about “the risks and dangers of starting fires”.

On Friday 17th May, a member of the public called to report a tree stump had been set on fire in woodland near to the skate park. The call came in just before 7.30pm and patrolling officers attended within five minutes. Fire crews put the fire out by 7.45pm. Police say there were a number of teenagers in the area at the time, however no one was able to identify those responsible for starting the fire.

The Kingswood crew that attended the 13th May incident tweeted a photo showing a pile of large aerosol cans on the woodland floor, with the message: “Spent time emptying and making these aerosol cans inoperable after the fire was out.” It is not clear whether any aerosol cans had been thrown onto the fire. The Journal understands that staff at the nearby Tesco extra store have been asked to be on the alert after someone reported seeing boys buying a large quantity of hair spray aerosol cans at the self-service tills two days earlier.

There have also been reports of youths setting fire to aerosol cans and using them as flame throwers at the nearby skate park.

More: Council says fires, including BBQs, are not permitted on its land »

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Avon Fire and Rescue crews from Patchway, Southmead and Speedwell were called to St Mary’s RC Primary School on Webbs Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, yesterday afternoon following reports of smoke seen coming from the building.

The incident occurred at 4pm, when pupils had gone home for the day but some staff remained on the premises.

On arrival, crews found heavy smoke logging within the school and discovered that a fire had started in a small kitchen contained within an annexe (not the main school kitchen).

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used high-pressure hoses to deal with the fire.

Fire service spokesman James Bladon said it appeared that “items” had been left on top of the cooker, which had been left on accidentally, causing the fire to start.

The fire was said to be “quite small” and it resulted in damage to the cooker and an area of nearby wall.

A positive pressure ventilation fan was used to clear smoke logging from the property.

A message on the school’s website said that the school and breakfast club would “open as normal” today (Friday 29th June).

St Mary’s holds its Summer Fayre tomorrow, between 2pm and 4:30pm.

Related links:

• Schools in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)
• What’s On in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

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The July newsletter from the local police beat team includes reports on a drugs raid at a “property in Bradley Stoke” and speed checks in the Woodlands Lane area.

In April, police seized 25 suspected cannabis plants with a potential street value up to £25,000 and found electricity being illegally obtained at a house in Bradley Stoke. A Bradley Stoke man aged 24, a Bristol man aged 22, and a Portishead woman aged 23 were arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

Police say they carried out a one-hour speed check in Woodlands Lane and Pear Tree Road, netting three drivers travelling at over 40mph. The offenders have been fined £60 and invited to attend a driving course to avoid three penalty points.

The newsletter also reports on a 21-year-old burglar, jailed for two and a half years by Bristol Crown Court after admitting more than 70 crimes in Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke.

There’s also advice about dealing with anti-social behaviour (ASB), which police say usually increases over the summer.

Read on for an example of action taken against ASB in Bradley Stoke »

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An eleven-year-old schoolgirl has raised more than £400 for the couple who lost two of their sons in the Merryweather Close fire tragedy.

Chloe Webster, a student at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS), didn’t know the Whitton family but felt so moved by their loss that she decided to stage a three-mile sponsored run through the town to help raise money for them.

Two police community support officers followed Chloe in their car during her run on Saturday morning and she was met at the finish by a crew of firefighters from Avon Fire & Rescue.

Town Mayor Ben Walker was on hand at the finish to accept, on behalf of the Whitton family, a cheque for the £408 raised through sponsorship from family, friends and teachers.

Chloe’s mum Claire told The Journal that the Whitton’s eldest son Adam, a Year 12 student BSCS, had this week visited Chloe to thank her for her fundraising efforts.

Elsewhere, tickets are now available for a major event at BAWA, Filton, on Saturday 23rd April that will raise funds for the three families affected by the fire. Further details are available on the Victims of Merryweather Bradley Stoke group page on Facebook.

Related link: Merryweather Close Fire Victims Appeal Fund

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