Praise for blaze-busters
FIREFIGHTERS have said a special “thank you” to a group of children who helped stop a wildfire spreading on Arthur’s Seat.
The eight youngsters helped create a firebreak in thick gorse. A few weeks later the break proved vital in stopping the spread of a serious blaze started by a rogue firework on Bonfire Night.
Firefighters spent more than 48 hours trying to extinguish the fire near Hunter’s Bog on Arthur’s Seat, after a firework landed in the dry gorse and set it alight.
A large area of gorse was destroyed and four fire crews had to use an extra-long hose reel to pump water from St Margaret’s Loch in a bid to put the fire out.
The children - aged nine and ten from Niddrie Mill and St Francis Primary Schools - received John Muir Award certificates, as well as gifts of pencil cases and stationery from the fire brigade. Mike Bridgman, convener of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board, said: “We are delighted to be able to congratulate these young people.
“Through their work with the park rangers on cutting fire breaks in the gorse in Holyrood Park, the fire on November 5 was prevented from spreading and causing damage to a much greater area of land. They should be very proud of themselves and they are an asset to their local community.”
The children were invited to take part in the John Muir Challenge by Lothian and Borders Police, to give them something constructive to do in their spare time. Working with the police and park rangers, they learned about the history and wildlife of Arthur’s Seat.
The firebreak was suggested by park rangers following a fire in the same spot last year, which was also started by a firework.
A police spokeswoman said: “This was something we wanted to organise to help keep these kids off the streets and out of trouble, and it was a big challenge for them just to get the John Muir Award.
“They have spent months working towards this, and they were so proud to have achieved the certificate.
“They saw just how important their work had been. They went back to the site not long after the fire and they were all shocked to see it was still burning.
“The fire brigade told us that without the firebreak this would have been a lot worse, and so we thought it was only fair that they be recognised for their work.”
The presentation ceremony took place at St Francis Primary on Niddrie Mains Road yesterday.