Park View 4U Lytham makes plea to parents after emergency callout to fire scare

Officials at a Fylde community park have issued a plea to parents to remind their children about the dangers of starting fire after incident during the recent dray weather they fear could have been a lot worse.

Police have pledged to maintain a regular presence in the evenings around Park View 4U after a blaze in grass just beyond the site between Park View Rand and Ballam Road got out of control and had to be dealt with by Lancashire Fire and Rescue.

A spokesperson for Park View 4U said: “As the schools break up for the summer holidays we become a target every year for vandalism, graffiti, damaging trees and young people starting fires, usually with their school books and aerosol cans.

“We were extremely grateful that Lytham fire crew were on hand when a fire that had been started by some young people got out of control.

“It was beyond the park where the trees meet with Lytham Juniors Football Club and near to Kid's Planet Nursery and due to the extremely dry conditions we have been experiencing, the fire could easily have spread to the grass and trees, caused serious damage to the park, the football fields and the nursery and destroyed natural habitats and wildlife.

“Please could you remind your children about the dangers of starting fires, how they could easily injure themselves or someone else and that it is illegal to have fires and barbecues on green spaces managed by Fylde Council with fines of up to £1,000.

“We have spoken to Lancashire Police who will be doing routine walks through the park in the evening and we would request if any community groups, dog walkers or families who use the park in the evening spot any anti social behaviour then please could you contact the police or the fire station.”

Park View 4U is a charity which was established in 2003 to create a community recreational facility in Lytham.

The site is owned by Fylde Council, which maintains the sport pitches and Park View 4U manage the playground, which includes a wide range of facilities for all ages.

In 2012, the playing fields became known as QEII Park View Playing Fields when they were saved in perpetuity as a site affiliated to the national charity Fields in Trust.