Moorland blaze started deliberately

ALARGE gorse fire which broke out on Dartmoor on Monday evening was started deliberately, it has been confirmed.

A 999 call was made at around 9.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday to report a hedge fire at the side of a road in the Dunnabridge area.

One fire engine from Yelverton was sent to the scene and firefighters confirmed a “large gorse fire that was well alight” and that further crews would be needed.

Two fire crews from Tavistock and a water bowser from Plympton were then dispatched to the scene and used low-pressure hose reel jets.

The blaze was allowed to burn out to a “natural fire break to extinguish the fire”.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “One fire engine from Yelverton was originally sent to a report of a hedge fire on the side of the road on Dartmoor.

“On arrival crews confirmed this was a large gorse fire that was well alight and requested further assistance. Two fire crews from Tavistock and a water bowser from Plympton were also sent.

“Crews used low-pressure hose reel jets and allowed the fire burn out to a natural fire break to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was deliberate and the police were also in attendance.”

Devon and Cornwall Police closed the B3357 road between the Hexworthy turn-off at Dartmeet and the Two Bridges Hotel while fire crews dealt with the incident.

It comes after members of the public were urged to beware of the potential for wildfires on moorland ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Devon and Cornwall Police sent out the alert to residents in the region just a few weeks after a series of unexpected wildfires on Bodmin, Dartmoor and Exmoor saw large numbers of firefighters battle the often hardto-reach blazes. Dartmoor wasn’t the only place to suffer a gorse fire this weekend, with a major fire breaking out at Bartinney Nature Reserve, where many animals are sadly believed to have perished (see below).