Businesses in Derry are being called on to ensure all materials on their premises are secured overnight following a number of fire incidents in the Ballymagroarty area of the city.
Cllr McGinley at the remains of one of the fires.
The call comes from Sinn Féin Councillor Eric McGinley who has made an “urgent appeal” that all packaging from stock, wooden pallets, tyres, building materials were securely locked up after receiving complaints about such items being used for starting fires.
Describing the incidents as “sheer wanton acts of vandalism,” Cllr McGinley said wooden pallets were “stacked up” on a green area in the estate before being “torched.”
He added: “The Fire Service has had to be called out this week to extinguish fires in the area.
“I have been in contact with the Housing Executive to have the pallets removed as soon as possible.
“I would appeal to businesses throughout the city to ensure that all materials on their premises are secured overnight.
“In particular, wooden pallets, packaging, building materials so they cannot be used to start any fires.
“It is the support of the local community that is vital in putting the message out that these fires only have a detrimental effect on areas and the people who live there.”
Cllr McGinley concluded: “I would make an urgent appeal for this nonsense to stop immediately. People are trying very hard to make this area a better place to live in. There is no excuse for this type of carryon.”
