Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has welcomed figures showing deliberate fires across the area are at a five-year low.
Information from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service shows crews were called to just four deliberate fires in Banff, Fraserburgh and Troup between October 1 and December 31 – the lowest since 2016.
However, accidental house fires have more than doubled rising to 11 for the same period.
In Buchan, deliberate blazes also reduced between October 1 and December 31 but within that figure, malicious fires in Peterhead North and Rattray more than doubled.
Mr Duguid warned of the dangers deliberate fires pose, putting lives at risk.
He urged residents to report incidents as the warm weather continues.
Deliberate fires in the Banff and Buchan area are at a five-year low.
He said:
“It’s positive to see a reduction in deliberate fires in our area but one malicious fire is still one too many.
“We can’t get complacent and with the warm weather continuing for another few months, I would urge residents to report any incident that they may come across.
“Deliberate fires harm communities and put lives needlessly in danger.
“Fire attacks like these also take crews away from other incidents where people may require urgent assistance.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service do a fantastic job across Banff and Buchan and everything must be done to continue to reduce the number of malicious incidents.”