Emergency services extinguished a grass fire close to St George’s Field car park in York city centre on Sunday afternoon, and police have been told the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately.
Quick response contained fire near the river
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident after smoke was reported in the open space beside the car park, which sits close to the River Ouse. The blaze was described by the service as measuring 10m by 10m and was put out rapidly.
"A crew from Easingwold responded to reports of a grass fire, measuring 10m by 10m. Crews used 2 hose reel jets to extinguish the fire and a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots."
The service confirmed the response came from the Easingwold station and that crews used 2 hose reel jets and a thermal imaging camera to check for any remaining hotspots. When a reporter visited the scene at about 4.40pm there were no resources present and the area had been made safe.
What is known and what comes next
Police have been informed and the initial assessment from emergency personnel is that the fire was started deliberately. At this stage there has been no public confirmation of any arrests or of ongoing police activity in the immediate vicinity.
Officials will need to determine the cause and, if arson is confirmed, whether there is a risk to nearby property or to public safety along the riverbank and the adjacent car park. The site is close to pedestrian routes and waterfront areas that can become busy at this time of year.
- If you witnessed anything suspicious near St George’s Field this afternoon, contact North Yorkshire Police to assist their enquiries.
- Members of the public should report fires or smoke immediately by dialling 999.
- Be cautious near recently extinguished vegetation as smouldering hotspots can persist beneath the surface.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near St George's Field car park, York city centre |
| Estimated size | 10m by 10m |
| Responding crew | Easingwold |
| Equipment used | 2 hose reel jets, thermal imaging camera |
| Reporter on scene | 4.40pm — no resources present |
Further updates are expected as North Yorkshire Police and the fire service continue any follow-up investigations. For now, the incident serves as a reminder of the hazards posed by fires in open urban spaces and of the need for vigilance along riverside and recreational areas in the city.
