Two boys arrested over wildfire at beauty spot

Two boys have been arrested following a wildfire in Staffordshire.

Emergency services were called to Hednesford Hills, near Cannock, at about 13:00 BST on Sunday. There were no reports of any injuries.

Eleven fire crews tackled the blaze at its height, which damaged more than three acres (1.2 hectares) of land.

A 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy, both from Cannock, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, Staffordshire Police said.

They remained in custody on Monday.

The blaze follows a series of fires in the area, as well as elsewhere across the Midlands, during a prolonged spell of dry weather.

"I would urge parents to talk to young people about the dangers of setting fires. It is not 'a bit of fun', it is land damaged, lives put at risk and resources stretched," said fire group manager Jordan Money.

"A huge area of land has been damaged in this incident which, disappointingly, was caused deliberately.

"We will now be working alongside Staffordshire Police to support an investigation into those responsible, where two people have already been arrested."

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