Ancient oak to be cut down after being torched

A 250-year-old oak tree has been destroyed after yobs set it on fire.

Heart breaking pictures show the ancient oak– which has stood since the mid -1700 s–engulfed in flames after it was torched on Sunday night.

Firefighters tackled the blaze in Cannon Hill Park, Balsall Heath, West Midlands, but the damage was too serious and it will be cut down.

It is believed the fire may have been started deliberately and there are reports youngsters were seen nearby playing with matches.

West Midlands Fire and Rescue S er vice were scrambled to the blaze in the park shortly after 7pm.

A spokesperson said: “At 7:11pm on Sun 19 May, we responded to a report of a tree on fire in Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, near to playing fields and a vehicle was sent.”