![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Fire-at-Derby-Park.jpg\")
Fire in Derby Park, Bootle(Image: Handout)<\/p>\nMerseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called out a blaze in Derby ParkFire in Derby Park, Bootle(Image: Handout)<\/p>\n
People say they have become fearful and \u2018intimidated\u2019 after a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents at a much-loved Grade II listed park in Bootle<\/a>. Those fears were expressed after a blaze earlier this week, when parts of the park\u2019s bushes and foliage caught fire, prompting a call-out from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS).<\/p>\n Derby Park opened in 1895 \u2013 just five years after Bootle became a county borough. The park was named after Lord Derby, who had offered the site as a gift.<\/p>\n During World War II the entrance gates and boundary railings were removed, and the park was damaged by enemy action. In the early 1950s restoration work was carried out, with further major renovation works in 1984.<\/p>\n Aside from the fascinating history, it is the many winding paths, activity areas, and matured green spaces that make this park so popular<\/a> for local people.<\/p>\n However, in recent years, there have been several reports of anti-social behaviour<\/a>, including fly-tipping, assaults, and now a fire. The latest incident happened on Tuesday night (August 19) and involved the destruction of an area of bushes and foliage.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: \u201cMFRS attended an incident on Derby Park, Worcester Road, Bootle, on the evening of Tuesday, August 19.<\/p>\n \u201cCrews were alerted at 8.30pm and were on scene at 8.35pm with one fire engine attending.<\/p>\n \u201cOn arrival this was a fire involving one tree and surrounding bushes. Crews used one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and left the scene at 8.44pm.\u201d<\/p>\n They did not speculate as to the cause of the fire, but it is clear who the local community believes was responsible.<\/p>\n The fire was reported on Tuesday, August 19, and an update was posted to the Derby Park Community Facebook<\/a> page. The post sought to raise awareness about the incident, but it also prompted comments about other incidents in the park and problems with anti-social behaviour.<\/p>\n Julie Peters responded to that post, writing: \u201cI just don\u2019t understand the mentality of kids. Why are they hell-bent on destroying their surroundings? All the hard work that has gone into Derby Park, it makes me so sad.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756078632_777_0_Fire-at-Derby-Park.jpg\")
Fire in Derby Park, Bootle(Image: Handout)<\/p>\n