A group of youths deliberately set fire to grassland within yards of a community fire station before fleeing the scene. 

Firefighters are appealing for information to find the culprits after the incident in the Coatham Marsh area of the town on Thursday, April 13.

The youths were seen fleeing the scene by members of the public, after they started the fire.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade: “Earlier this week we were called to a deliberate grass fire over at Coatham Marsh in Redcar.

The Northern Echo: The fire is believed to have been started deliberately. Picture: Cleveland Fire BrigadeThe fire is believed to have been started deliberately. Picture: Cleveland Fire Brigade (Image: Cleveland Fire Brigade)

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“Despite the fire breaking out just metres away from Redcar Community Fire Station, there were no available resources to attend the incident, so a fire engine was deployed from Grangetown station to extinguish the fire.

“Crews used super soakers and beaters to put out the fire which had devastatingly destroyed approximately 100 sqm of grassland.

“Youths were spotted fleeing the scene after setting the fire by members of the public.

“What a waste of our time and valuable resources! And what’s worse is attending incidents like this one puts people’s lives in danger who genuinely need our assistance in an emergency.

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“We can’t keep letting people get away with this type of behaviour.

“We are pleading with you to come forward and let us know who is responsible. You can do this anonymously through FireStoppers.”

The Northern Echo: An appeal has been launched to find those responsible for starting the fire. Picture: Cleveland Fire BrigadeAn appeal has been launched to find those responsible for starting the fire. Picture: Cleveland Fire Brigade (Image: Cleveland Fire Brigade)