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Warning over arson at old theme park
Firefighters have issued a warning after several fires were started deliberately at the American Adventure theme park site at Shipley on Monday night.
Crews from Ilkeston and Heanor tackled four separate fires, including one where a portable building, belonging to the demolition company, was alight at the former theme park site at about 9.15pm on Monday, June 29.
Station commander at Ilkeston Fire Station, Matt Revel, said he believed the fires were started by the same group, who were probably children.
He said: "Because the site is so difficult to get to, these fires tied up all our resources, both from Ilkeston and from Heanor."
The site is currently owned by Derbyshire County Council and is in a process of demolition, with the only remaining area to dismantle being the old Aztec zone.
He added: "The site is massive and, so as a result, it is very difficult to police its borders.
"Derbyshire County Council and the demolition company have done everything possible to make sure these intrusions are kept to a minimum."
Firefighters spent more than an hour putting out the four fires.
This latest blaze comes a month after firefighters spent three hours tackling a fire started deliberately at the site.
Matt said that a warning needed to go out to children about the dangers of the site, as these fire-starters appeared to have broken in through an old pumping works, leading to the former mine, which is riddled with potentially fatal areas, including flooded underground shafts.
He said: "If anyone saw their children or anyone they know coming home covered in soot, please let us know so we can put a stop to this dangerous behaviour."
Anyone with information is urged to call Derbyshire Police on 0345 123 33 33 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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