FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle more than 1,800 deliberate fires across Scotland in the space of just two months, reveal latest figures.

The news comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) alerted police officers that a fire in Faifley on Friday, February 22, was purposely set.

At 3.06am, officers were requested to attend at a property on Abbeylands Road where tyres positioned against a wooden garage had been set alight.

On arrival, the blaze had been extinguished by fire crew members, but police were informed the fire service deemed the incident to be wilful fire-raising.

New data from the SFRS reveals how emergency service crews dealt with 1,824 needless blazes between March and April last year.

Read more: Police Scotland launch campaign against hate crime for night-time workers

In Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, and West Dunbartonshire, a total of 70 deliberate fires were reported in the two month period.

David McGown, SFRS deputy chief officer said: “Make no mistake – fire can cause injury and death, it can be devastating to properties, businesses and the environment.

“The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable.

“Firefighters exist to protect their communities – yet they are still being put at risk by a small minority of people who continue to deliberately set fires.

“Deliberate fires are not only reckless and dangerous but can also divert SFRS resources away from genuine emergencies where people require our help.”

The SFRS has warned it will do everything in its power to help Police Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities.

Officers are currently carrying out relevant enquiries in relation to the fire in Faifley and anyone with information is asked to contact 101.