Nature reserve heath fire 'started deliberately'

A fire that destroyed part of nature reserve is believed to have been started deliberately, the fire service has said.

Sixty people dialled 999 to report the blaze at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve in Poole, Dorset, shortly after 15:00 BST on Monday.

About 7.5 acres (3 hectares) of heathland were destroyed and crews returned on Tuesday morning after an inspection revealed more hotspots.

Dorset Police appealed for information to help trace those responsible.

The incident comes days after another deliberate heath fire near Wareham which was tackled by crews and equipment from 13 stations.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue area manager Ant Bholah said: "Unfortunately we do get a number of fires that are started deliberately. The one at Wareham we do believe was such a case.

"The one yesterday [at Bourne Valley], we do believe that was deliberate as well.

"We would ask people to call 999 if they see anything suspicious and get the emergency services there as quickly as possible."

Det Insp Darren Stanton of Dorset Police said: "After liaison with the fire service, we believe this fire may have been started deliberately.

"Thankfully, nobody was injured, but these types of fires can have devastating consequences and we will investigate all available lines of enquiry."

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, Bholah said: "The conditions increase the risk. We've had warm, dry, breezy weather, the dry ground.

"Any ignition, whether accidental or deliberate, can spread quickly across the heathland.

"The fires generate their own heat and, once they get going, they can spread quicker than you can run, so they are really dangerous and the risk is quite high at the moment."