Resident fears fires lit in Memorial Park in Sutton Bridge could lead to tragedy

A villager has raised fears about fires being lit on a village green.

Vicky Hills, 71, fears that fires in the Memorial Park, Sutton Bridge, could lead to a more serious incident potentially endangering nearby residents and wildlife.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called out on June 23 around 7pm to a small open fire on Bridge Road and cut the lock to put the fire out.

Mrs Hills, of Sutton Bridge, said: “I saw the fire engine go by and saw them turning into the park.

“They're forever setting fires in the Memorial Park.

“This isn't a one-off.”

Some fires are close to a wooden fence that is at the back of residents’ properties - which Mrs Hills says is a ‘constant battle’.

She said: “One fire was classed as arson as it was so close to the bungalows.

“We have had no rain and it is such a dry area with all the trees, if anything did happen it could be a big thing.”

Mrs Hills also worries about potential harm to conservation who as a regular dog walker has spotted muntjacs, a black rabbit and a hawk.

She has also spoken to youngsters about the dangers of fires - but has also seen issues caused by older people.

She said: “I have a good relationship with the kids and tell them off if I think they need it.

“There are a good bunch of kids here as well, they are not all bad.

“There are also older folks who use the park as a boozing ground and who I have seen openly urinating and leaving rubbish.”

Some of the ‘mischievous’ behaviour involves school children exploding large bottles of Coca-Cola.

Mrs Hills also called for more of a police presence in the village.

A spokesperson from Sutton Bridge Parish Council said: “I will be contacting our local policing team as we are very concerned about the vandalism and fire setting that has gone on in the Memorial Park over the last few weeks.”