A SENIOR firefighter has warned of the dangers of malicious calls and arson attacks after new figures highlighted the extent of the problem.

The figures show the North Yorkshire fire service has received more than 2,000 hoax calls and responded to over 300 deliberate fires since April.

Nigel Phillips, commander of Richmond Fire Station, warned a deliberate fire or a hoax call could cost lives.

"We only have 43 fire engines across North Yorkshire," he said. "It creates a serious problem if some of these have been called out on a minor arson attack or a malicious call.

"For example in Richmondshire, if Richmond and Colburn crews were both called out to a hoax house fire, it could be another 25 minutes before Reeth or Leyburn could get to a real emergency."

County councillor Peter Brown, a member of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said the problem was very serious.

"A hoax call could mean a fire engine is at the wrong place at the wrong time. These calls put lives at risk. The public also has to realise it costs the brigade a lot of money to deal with these incidents."

The fire service visits secondary schools across the county to talk to Year 7 and 8 pupils about the dangers of arson and deliberate fires.

Mr Phillips said the brigade also tried to identify children who start fires or take an unhealthy interest in fire.

Attempts are then made to educate the young people at their local station with chip pan fire demonstrations and other practical examples of the dangers of fire.

Mr Phillips urged parents to call the service if they thought their child was taking an interest in fire.

The latest figures show county firefighters have dealt with 319 deliberate fires and received 2,022 unwanted calls since April. The service was also called to two fatal fires, 45 fires where someone was hurt, 11 fatal road accidents and 295 injury road accidents.