A 13-year-old boy is assisting police with their enquiries after a fire involving hay bales on farmland near Northallerton.
Emergency services were called to Bullamoor Road at about 3.30pm on Monday, August 3, after reports of a fire involving multiple hay bales.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service brought the blaze under control by around 7pm. Roads closed because of the volume of smoke were later reopened.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed a local 13-year-old boy is assisting officers with their investigation.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Rory Sadler said the incident highlighted the dangers of deliberate fires, particularly during the current hot and dry weather.
“Arson is a serious criminal offence that puts lives at risk and can have a devastating impact on people, communities and the environment,” he said.
“What may seem like a small or harmless act can quickly develop into a significant incident, causing extensive damage, threatening lives and placing considerable demand on emergency services.
“With the current warm and dry conditions, even a minor fire can spread rapidly and lead to serious consequences.”
Inspector Sadler urged parents, carers and young people to discuss the risks of deliberately setting fires.
He said police would continue working with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Hambleton Community Safety Hub to raise awareness of the dangers during the school holidays.
Anyone concerned about a young person playing with fire can make a FireSafe referral through the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service website.
Anyone who witnesses deliberate fire-setting should call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life or property, or contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 in non-emergency situations, quoting reference 12260149442.
People who wish to remain anonymous can also report information about deliberate fire-setting through FireStoppers, a national initiative run in partnership with Crimestoppers.
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