FIREFIGHTERS in North Yorkshire are pushing for a concerted effort to beat the potentially lethal dumping of unwanted cars.
Meetings with police chiefs, the county council, City of York Council, and representatives of the region's district authorities, are attempting to reach an agreement which would mean abandoned cars removed quicker.
They follow warnings that the increasing numbers of dumped and torched cars in the county were hazardous to children.
Mick Brighton, of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "People just do not realise how absolutely lethal firing cars can be. The toxicity of the fumes is unbelievable.
"The chemicals that come off the foams, oils, diesel or petrol, brake fluid and rubbers that are part of a car are lethal. If they are breathed in, they will damage lungs for life."
Last year, City of York Council set aside £9,300 for removal of abandoned cars and that cash ran out within seven months. This year, the authority is requesting £34,000, which would pay for about 750 cars to be removed.
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