Worthing Cemetery To Be Cleaned Up After Fire Caused By Discarded Glass

Friday, 19 August 2022 06:00

By Jade McLean

A section of Worthing cemetery, the size of two football pitches, is to be tidied up by a community group after a recent grass fire.

It's thought the fire at Broadwater Cemetery was started by discarded glass left in the grass.

It was one of 15 fires in just one day in Worthing, that West Sussex Fire & Rescue attributed to glass being left behind on the ground.

The Park Rangers team from Worthing Borough Council along with volunteers from The Friends of Broadwater Cemetery say they'll tidy up and rake over the burnt area. Rangers are confident that the grass and other foliage will return but in the meantime remedial measures will be taken.

The Council has urged everyone to be more vigilant in disposing of litter especially during hot periods.

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

“Firstly I want to express my sympathies to the families of loved ones who are buried in the cemetery and whose graves were affected by the fire. We will do all we can to restore the graves to their former condition.

"Secondly I have asked our Park Rangers to begin the process of tidying up the area and raking the burnt land so that growth can return. I would also like to thank the Friends of Broadwater Cemetery who will be joining them and already do such sterling work with this beautiful and peaceful spot."

She added that she was grateful for the prompt actions of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service which prevented further damage.

Park rangers are confident that green growth will return, especially now the searing heat has subsided.

In the meantime the Council will be investigating whether, in future heat waves, more preventative checks on discarded materials can be made in areas at risk of fire and remind people to either take littler home or use the bins.