Portsmouth councillor praised after stamping out park fire started by youths

A still from a video captured by Nelson ward Liberal Democrat councillor, Lee Hunt, who confronted youths and put out a fire with his shoes in Bransbury Park, Eastney, on Tuesday, August 18.

Liberal Democrat Lee Hunt, 61, melted his own shoes and ‘scorched’ his shins after extinguishing the blaze in a shelter at Bransbury Park, Eastney, on Tuesday, August 18.

The Nelson ward representative caught the confrontation in a video which has now been viewed more than 14,000 times on Facebook.

The councillor approached the children on foot and ordered them to put the fire out by yelling: ‘It’s public equipment – it’s not for you to burn stuff in.’

A cluster of youngsters walked away while one boy trailed Councillor Hunt aggressively and said: ‘Let me put it out with you, yeah, and you delete the video.

‘I’ll put it out with you, yeah, if you delete the video.’

Former police officer Cllr Hunt said: ‘Like so many others I was enjoying walking my dogs around the park.

‘Suddenly I saw an intense fire break out and [noticed] the smell of burning rubber.

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‘While Portsmouth does not have a lot for youngsters to do, the government needs to help the city to fund youth workers and coaches to allow young people to get involved with positive social interaction spaces like sports teams and youth clubs.

‘Currently the council’s (work with) Active Community Network and partners such as Pompey in the Community and Motiv8 offer a lot of positive options for young people – just imagine what the city could achieve with government funding being restored back in these local services.

‘Then maybe these youngsters wouldn’t be getting into mischief.’

Several youngsters helped Cllr Hunt put out the fire after he told a group of others to ‘clear off’.

His actions prompted praise from local residents on Facebook.

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Debbie Bridgeford said: ‘Bring back the parkies. Used to keep the kids in order but these days need a phone to summon police.

‘Thank you for having enough guts to do something but please stay safe. You put yourself at high risk.’

Kirsty Jones added: ‘Well done. This is what we need more of – adults being involved and not letting them think they can do as they please.’

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