ARSONISTS have struck nearly 3,200 times in Cumbria in the last five years – sparking fires at the rate of nearly two a day.

Fire chiefs say they are putting lives in danger, targeting cars, homes, trees, grassland and rubbish.

New figures show that there were 3,187 suspected deliberate fires in the last five years – equating to 637 call outs each year.

Craig Drinkald, station manager in operational planning at the county’s fire service headquarters, said: “Arson attacks put lives at risk.

“If we are dealing with an arson then it means we are not available for life-threatening incidents in other areas. That’s not good in a county like Cumbria where the fire stations are spread out.

“If we are training and we get a call to attend an arson then we have to stop. They are unwelcome interruptions.”

The fire service has also been called to attacks on property including bins, hedges, parks and caravans.

Mr Drinkald added: “The majority of arsons we attend are caused by younger people putting themselves at risk. You can never be sure how a fire will develop so they could be at risk of harm. If we could find a way to stop people from doing them we would.”

The fire service gives talks on safety in the community. “We have worked on youth engagement to reduce these figures and we have,” added Mr Drinkald. The service says calls have reduced in the last 10 years through factors such as education.

  • ARSONIST Benjamin Taylor, 24, has been told he faces a “significant” prison term after starting three separate fires at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

The largest of the blazes set by Taylor caused £500,000 damage to an engineers’ workshop.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that the impact was so severe it “almost destroyed” a business which is home to the popular “La’al Ratty” line. Taylor, who worked at the premises as engineer, started two other fires on the railway site.

Taylor, of Whole House Road, Seascale, had denied being to blame for any of the incidents, which occurred in late 2012 and 2013. But after a trial at the crown court, he was found guilty of five counts of arson.

He will be sentenced in June.