Beauty spot fire set deliberately - fire service

The fire took place on Eston Nab

A fire at a beauty spot on Sunday was started deliberately, the fire service has said.

Cleveland Fire Brigade was called to Eston Hills, near Eston in Teesside, shortly before 20:00 GMT on 24 March.

The fire service decided to allow the blaze to burn due to safety concerns for its crews.

It had been extinguished by the time firefighters returned to Eston Hills on Monday morning.

Cleveland Fire Brigade described the fire as "large" and said it occurred on top of Eston Nab - the highest point of Eston Hills.

One engine from Grangetown Fire Station was sent to the scene.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: " [The] fire was allowed to burn due to safety concerns for crews.

"Crews from Grangetown re-attended at 07:36 GMT on 25 March and there was no sign of the fire. We left the scene by 07:55 GMT.

"The cause is believed to be deliberate."

Eston Hills has been the target of suspected arson attacks in the past.

In 2015, the hills were set alight twice in two days, while in 2022, an area of about 3,000 sq miles (7,770 sq km) of scrubland also went up in flames.