Five heath fires in Bournemouth and Poole over the weekend are believed to have been started deliberately.
Police are now investigating the blazes – three at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve and the others at Talbot Heath and Turbary Common.
Up to 30 firefighters tackled the fires with appliances from Poole, Redhill Park, Wimborne, Christchurch, Hamworthy and Ferndown involved.
The incidents attended by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were:
- Saturday 6 April, 2.36am – two fire engines, a small 4×4 appliance and a water carrier, all from Poole (approx. 12 firefighters) were mobilised to an area of around 100m x 10m near the skate park in Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, where there were seven small fires. These were extinguished and the stop was at 3.16am.
- Sunday 7 April, 12.01am – we were called to another fire at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, affecting an area of 50m x 50m. Crews were sent from Westbourne, Redhill Park, Poole (x2), Wimborne and Christchurch, together with small 4×4 appliances from Poole and Ferndown and a water carrier from Poole (approx. 30 firefighters). The stop was at 1.15am.
- Sunday 7 April, 4.57pm – crews from Westbourne, Redhill Park, Christchurch and Wimborne, together with small 4×4 appliances from Poole, Ferndown, Hamworthy and Christchurch, and a water carrier from Poole (approx. 26 firefighters) dealt with a fire at Talbot Heath, affecting an area of 80m x 20m.
- Sunday 7 April, 7.49pm – we were called to Turbary Common for a fire affecting an area of 25m x 25m. This was attended by crews from Westbourne, Redhill Park and Poole, as well as small 4×4 appliances from Poole and Ferndown (approx. 16 firefighters). The stop was at 8.07pm.
- Monday 8 April, 12.07am – crews from Westbourne, Poole (x2) and Wimborne, as well as small 4×4 appliances from Poole and Ferndown (approx. 20 firefighters) were called to a fire involving around 75m x 25m of heath near the skate park in Bourne Valley Nature Reserve. The stop was at 1.20am.