Fears intentional firestarting is wasting time and resources
13:38, 11 Jul 2026Updated 14:07, 11 Jul 2026
Cork City Fire Brigade responding to the collision yesterday morning
While many of us were out enjoying the heat over the past few days – the hardworking members of Cork City Fire Brigade have been working almost non-stop to protect members of the public. And there are fears that much of the workload for these brave crews is coming from bad actors deliberately starting fires.
This comes after Cork city firefighters rushed to the scene of a single-vehicle collision at the junction between Pouladuff Road, Connolly Road and Vicars Road yesterday morning at approximately 7.45am. The car involved in the crash rolled over onto its side and its four occupants were trapped in the vehicle.
Cork City Fire Brigade were on the scene within minutes – closing the road and rushing to help those stuck inside the car. Firefighters were able to pull the four occupants from the vehicle and take them to paramedics for assessment. It’s understood that there were no serious injuries.
This is far from the only callout Cork city’s fire service has had in recent days. Other recent incidents include an aerial platform rescue from a roof near Tower, just North West of the city, and a number of urgent responses to gorse blazes and what firefighters believe is malicious fire-starting in grassy areas.
It’s believed antisocial behaviour is a prominent cause of these incidents, which are destroying property and causing a lot of damage to otherwise scenic areas. Firestarting like this is a waste of their stations’ valuable time and resources, and all members of the public are urged to think twice before they act. Any fire in dry, hot conditions like these could easily lead to a devastating blaze.
Earlier this week, members of Ballyvolane Fire Station had to rush to what is feared to have been a deliberate fire started on the Northside of the city. The blaze at the Glen River Park on Tuesday was spotted by members of the public and quickly snuffed out by firefighters before it could get out of hand.
Local Councillor John Maher said the fire could have been far more serious and urged the community to be on the lookout for deliberate fire setting.
Smoke from the fire in Glen River Park – as seen from the road coming into Blackpool.
In conditions like these – with of Cork expected to hit highs of almost 30ºC over the weekend – Cork City Firefighters are also asking members of the public to practice standard safety tips in warm weather.
They shared on social media: “With the current spell of hot weather, we’re reminding everyone to take extra care. Stay hydrated, limit prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
“Dry conditions can also increase the risk of fire. Please dispose of cigarettes safely and take extra care when using BBQs or other outdoor heat sources. Stay safe and enjoy the good weather responsibly.”