Town closed off as blaze at park deemed as deliberate

‘These fires put people in danger and are devastating to the local amenity’

TWO large fires engulfed parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands within a few hours on Monday.

The first blaze occurred when heathland caught fire on land near to Sunny View Farm, off Ellastone Road, Winkhill.

That fire is believed to have been accidental, but a second, which saw multiple fires crews sent to a large blaze that centred around Cheadle Park – has been deemed deliberate ignition.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at 5.45pm to reports of a fire on a large area of land off Park Lane in Cheadle.

Two separate sectors were identified as being alight – with a third later breaking out also - and one crew from Tutbury and another from

Burslem began using backpacks and beaters to fight the first blaze.

They were joined by crews from Rugeley, Hanley, Uttoxeter, Biddulph, Kidsgrove, Longnor, Rising Brook, Cheadle, Burton-on-trent, Brewood, Barton-under-needwood and Wombourne throughout the night, as well as the Ranger from Brewood, the Welfare Vehicle from Rugeley, and the Unimog from Cannock.

There had been worries throughout the night that the fire was getting too close to properties nearby however, through the hard work of the operational crews they managed to keep control of the blaze and stop it from spreading too near to them, as well as the Severn Trent Water works.

By 12.50am yesterday, appliances were able to be reduced to five as the fire continued to be brought under control. Relief pumping was continuing at this time.

By 4.50am, sector one of the blaze was identified as extinguished and sector two soon followed, with damping down continuing to take place as any remaining hotspots were sought out. The third sector of the fire had broken out by this point and was being kept under control by other crews. This had largely been brought under control by 5.40am.

The fire was extinguished by about 7.55am and crews have remained at the site throughout Tuesday morning continuing inspections and temperature checks on the three affected areas.

The cause of the fire has been found to be deliberate ignition.

Rob Barber, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s deputy chief fire officer, said: “These deliberate fires put people and property in danger and are devastating to the local amenity.

“They place additional strains onto our operational resources and tie crews up for considerable amounts of time, meaning that they are not available to respond to other incidents should they occur.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside and be respectful of others and the environment while enjoying our county.”

Police and crews from Highways were both asked to attend to manage road closures from Monday evening and throughout the night so that Fire and Rescue crews could use hydrants in the area to tackle the flames.

Cheadle’s High Street spent a long time closed off, as were other streets surrounding Cheadle Park as the blaze continued to burn.

Investigations into the deliberate ignition are continuing alongside Staffordshire Police.

The Fire and Rescue Service also sent multiple crews from across the county to the scene at Winkhill.

A spokesman for the service said: “We were called at about 4pm, and the blaze had started on heathland near to the farm – with an area of about 200m by 100m well alight.

“A crew from Leek, two from Cheadle, two from Longton, one from Ipstones, one from Rugeley, and Leek Rangers were in attendance. One main jet and one hose reel jet were used to combat the fire. Staffordshire Police also attended to prevent the public from accessing the area.

“By 6.35pm large swathes of the blaze were under control and damping down commenced. Most appliances had left the scene by 8.10pm with two remaining.

“It is believed the fire was an accidental ignition caused by rubbish being burned which set the heathland alight.”