‘Arson’ at squirrel sanctuary

FIREFIGHTERS tackling blazes at a red squirrel sanctuary yesterday claimed arsonists had twice set the area alight.

The crews spent two hours battling two infernos in the woodlands of High Stand Forest in Armathwaite, Cumbria.

While the forest was extremely dry due to the hot weather, crews said the blazes were not accidental. It is understood that police are now investigating the cause of the fires, described as “suspicious.”

Last week, a man of 20 was arrested on suspicion of arson after a moorland blaze in Winter Hill, Bolton. And police are treating a major 10-day fire on Saddleworth Moor, near Oldham, as arson.