'Intentional' nature reserve fires could cost £100k

Some of the damage to the reserve, which is home to birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates

The chair of a nature reserve said damage caused by a spate of deliberate fires could cost £100,000.

Fire crews who fought the latest blaze at the Chelmer Blackwater Reserve in Maldon, Essex, believe it was started intentionally - and suspect two other fires nearby were also deliberate.

Patrick Ellum, chair of the Chelmer Blackwater Community Interest Company (CIC), which manages the reserve, said it was "absolutely devastating".

"The overall cost of putting in the [reserve's] walkways and the bridge has been in the region of £100,000, it will cost most of that to restore it."

Chair of the CIC Patrick Ellum (left) and secretary Jonathan Wood (right) trawling through the cinders the day after the latest fire

Mr Ellum said the CIC would have to consider how to go about restoration "because of the risk of this happening again".

He added: "The wildlife has obviously been badly affected by it, the field over there where the main fire started had a very large number of voles in it, we don't know how they have fared.

"The reedbed has been partly damaged over here, which was an important breeding ground for birds."

He said the reserve has more than 200 shareholders who would also feel distraught.

Also known as Ironworks Meadow, parts of the fire-damaged site had remained undisturbed for decades

The first fire was on 3 July. There was another on Saturday, and then a third on Monday.

Mark Eaglestone, a group manager with the Essex Fire Service, said all three were "believed to have been started deliberately".

He added: "It puts lives at risk, causes significant damage to local wildlife and habitats, and ties up emergency resources that may be needed elsewhere.

"These types of incidents are not only reckless, they are criminal."

The CIC's secretary, Jonathan Wood, said he witnessed Monday's fire.

"We could see it just traveling and despite the efforts of the fire brigade - who have been marvellous in this - you could see the wind taking the fire and once it caught the trees that was it," he said.

He said the thought it was arson was "a very uncomfortable feeling".

"You just wonder why people are so reckless," he added

Alison Brown said people visiting the nearby supermarket watched the reserve's wildlife on the way past

Retired teacher Alison Brown said she was "absolutely gutted".

"We see the fens, the lovely fens, lots of greenery and the little pontoons and the bridges that you could walk across - and it's all gone."

Kirsty, 45, also a teacher, said she often took her dog for walks around the reserve.

"There's lots of black bits in our garden.

"It's just beautiful area and it's such a shame, really sad, but they [the firefighters] did really, really well to keep it contained in that area."

Louise, who was also walking by, said: "The smell is horrible isn't it?

"We're even more horrified that there's someone on the loose that's going to do that.

"People spent so much time and effort on this, it's a charity so everyone's disgusted."

The Essex Fire Service has urged people to contact the police if they see someone acting suspiciously in rural or woodland areas.

Information can also be given anonymously by visiting www.firestoppersreport.co.uk or calling 0800 169 5558.