Worksop fires: 'I've never seen anything like this'

Bethany Emsen "saw a glow in the sky" from the Peaks Hill Farm fire in Carlton Road, Worksop

Residents in a Nottinghamshire town have spoken of their concern after a spate of fires.

Emergency crews have been called out to more than 16 fires in the open in Worksop within the space of a week, including five incidents in just over two hours on Monday.

While no-one has been hurt, newly installed play equipment has been damaged, and those living nearby have been left worried.

Bethany Emsen said: "I've lived here all my life, and I've never seen anything like this."

Wednesday night's fire at Peaks Hill Farm was visible from nearby houses

Fires fought on Monday alone included grass, undergrowth and hedgerows alight in Rayton Farm Lane, two trees on fire in Ambleside Grange, burning rubbish in a woodland off Curzon Drive, an unattended bonfire at Hannah Park and a playground blaze in Prospect Park.

On Wednesday night, a fire at Peaks Hill Farm on Carlton Road was the latest in the sequence.

Ms Emsen said: "We saw a glow in the sky, so we came out to have a look, and the street was really smoky.

"There was ash on the car, and suddenly it felt quite close.

"My neighbours are the people I grew up with, and you don't want anything happening to them."

Resident Claire Arthur said the mysterious nature of the fires was a worry

Resident Claire Arthur said her children were particularly upset that a play park had been targeted.

"I'm quite worried because we have not had any word on who is doing it and how they can stop it.

"We are quite a close community, and it is the worry of what they are going to do or what they are going to destroy next.

"And there is the frustration that everyone wants a better community and a better society, and this just isn't the way to go about it," she said.

New play equipment was damaged when the Prospect Place play park was targeted

Bassetlaw District Council said climbing blocks installed in the spring at a cost of about £6,200 were damaged.

Councillor Darrell Pulk said the authority was "extremely shocked and disappointed" at the suspected arson.

Tony Joynston, who regularly takes his grandson to the targeted play park, said: "It makes me sad.

"We have good parks and play areas round here, and to see them damaged, it makes me sad.

"People are concerned because at the moment it is open land but who knows how far it will go?"

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned the dried grass and undergrowth has increased the potential for fires to grow.

In a statement they said any fires pose "a serious risk to people, wildlife and property".

Nottinghamshire Police has said it was "working closely" with the fire service to investigate reports of arson.