Two boys responsible for Mattawa bush fire

OPP News Release

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Mattawa Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Mattawa Fire Department responded to a bush fire behind Park Street in the town of Mattawa, Ontario on the evening of July 5, 2010. The fire was extinguished without incident and the investigation resulted in finding two – 11 year old boys responsible for the incident. No charges have been laid.

It is important to educate your children on the dangers around playing with fire! Fire-play and fire setting by children and teens is an extremely dangerous behaviour that can result in substantial personal and economic loss to families and communities. These behaviours include playing with matches or lighters, burning paper or garbage, performing ‘tricks’, intentionally setting fire to buildings.

Parents are encouraged not only to educate their child but also ensure that they have working smoke alarms, that matches and lighters are not accessible to the child and that the family develops and practices a home escape plan.

Should parents and/or caregivers be concerned about their child’s behaviour around fire play or fire setting, they may contact their local fire department or the Office of Fire Marshall to enquire about the TAPP-C program.

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