Fires at Painswick Golf Club linked to arson

There have been several blazes on the course at Painswick Golf Club which are believed to be arson. 

It appears that the fires have been started deliberately with culprits running around the grounds spraying an accelerant in a crescent shape.

Roy Wallis, 78, has lived near the club for 14 years with his wife and has never seen anything like it.

He managed to put the flames out with his son but on two occasions the fire service had to be called. 

“I looked out of my window one evening and saw the fire,” he said. 

“We managed to put it out but we were wondering if it could’ve spread further 

“We had a piece of plywood which we smothered the flames with. 

“All the fires look the same with a crescent sort of shape.

“It’s definitely vandals or arsonists, whatever you want to call them. 

“It seems like someone has run around in a half a circle running around with petrol and then started a fire. 

“I think really the overriding feeling was feeling annoyed. 

“The attitude and the behaviour of some people I just won’t understand why people would do that.”

There have been fires on August 11, August 12, August 13, August 15 and August 17 and Roy says the incidents could’ve easily been a lot worse especially with nearby vegetation and the hot weather.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire on August 15 is suspected to be arson. 

A spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.22pm on Monday, August 15, to reports of a fire at Painswick Golf Club.

“One fire engine from Stroud attended the scene where an area of grass 50 metres by 50 metres was alight.

“Firefighters used one jet and one hose reel to extinguish the fire and the stop message was received at 10.48pm.

“This incident is suspected to be arson but no further details are known at this stage.”

In another incident on August 13 a spokesperson said that there was a one metre square of grass alight but there is no suspicion that a crime took place in regard to that incident.