Month-long fire at RAF site started deliberately

The fire broke out on 20 March at the former RAF site and crews said they visited the scene every day until the blaze was out

A fire at a former RAF station that was burning for about a month was likely started deliberately, firefighters have said.

Crews were first called to Desborough Airfield in Kettering just before 20:30 GMT on 20 March.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said its operation was hindered because the roof of a hangar had only partially collapsed and there was a "significant" amount of carpet waste inside.

On Thursday, a spokesperson said the scene was made safe and returned to its owner.

At its height, six crews attended, using water jets and an aerial pump to tackle the blaze.

They were still extinguishing flames as recently as 17 April and had since been damping down hotspots.

Area manager Neil Sadler said there was still smoke plumes coming from the site, but that there was no risk of these "small pockets of fire" spreading.

"This has been a complex and prolonged incident," he said.

The service added: "With the evidence that is available, investigators have concluded that the fire was most likely started deliberately."

The former RAF hangar was being used to house thousands of tonnes of carpet waste