Multiple fire crews tackle blaze at beauty spot

Fifteen fire crews are tackling a large wildfire on heath-land at Cannock Chase, in the second blaze to break out in the same area in less than a week.

Emergency services were called to reports of smoke at Sherbrook Valley, off Chase Road, at about 14:30 BST.

A "significant" number of firefighters were actively responding to the fire, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

The county council said the blaze was "significantly larger" than the fire that damaged a football pitch-sized area of protected heath-land last Thursday and killed animals, including adders and toads.

The blaze on 30 July was believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue, which are banned at Cannock Chase.

In an update at about 20:00 BST, a county council spokesperson confirmed road closures were in place with Chase Road shut from Brocton to Camp Road.

The fire service has urged residents to avoid the area while the latest fire is dealt with and to keep windows and doors closed.

Staffordshire Police were also in attendance and setting up a cordon, it added.

PCSO Chad Carrington said officers had been called to the scene of "yet another wildfire".

"Please, please don't start fires at Cannock Chase, leave barbecues at home, try and protect this landscape," he urged the public in a video on Facebook.

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