Shocking statistics revealed 258 counts of deliberate fire-raising in the capital between March and April 2019.
When compared with 2018, this is a 100 percent increase in the amount of needless fires compared with the previous year.
As well as outdoor blazes, the fires included a number of building and vehicle arsons. There was also a 97 percent increase in cases of arson across Scotland, with 3,658 incidents being recorded in Spring 2019.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are concerned that the increase in deliberate fire starting is putting peoples lives at risk, as well as putting strain on genuine emergencies across the capital.
Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting and it is a small minority of individuals who are potentially putting themselves, our firefighters and innocent bystanders at risk of serious harm and injury.
“Fire can cause injury and death. These incidents are a needless drain on our resources and can impact on our response to genuine emergencies – where lives might very well be at risk.
“The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable. It is reckless, selfish, and can have devastating consequences."
The SFRS has launched their #SpringSafety campaign which aims to work closely with the police to ensure those responsible are identified and held to account for their actions.
They are appealing for anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising to contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111
