Heathland blaze was deliberate - fire service

Six fire engines were sent to Gentleshaw Common Nature Reserve on Friday

A fire which broke out on a protected area of lowland heath was started deliberately, fire investigators said.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called to a blaze on three acres (1.2 hectares) of land at Gentleshaw Common Nature Reserve, near Burntwood, on Friday.

SFRS said it had now concluded the fire was started deliberately and Staffordshire Police were investigating.

"What might seem like a harmless bit of fun to set a small fire can quickly escalate and put lives in serious danger," said deputy chief fire officer Glynn Luznyj.

"Grass fires can rapidly spread out of control and can cause catastrophic damage to people, families, wildlife and the environment."

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) said bees, birds, mammals and reptiles were likely to have been killed in Friday's fire.

Insects, mammals and reptiles were all believed to have died in the fire, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust said

A spokesperson for the service said they were called to other fires over the weekend in Stoke-on-Trent including three in a field in Fenton and one caused by an unattended campfire in Smallthorne.

"Our crews worked diligently over the weekend to make sure we protected local communities from the risk of grass fires," said Mr Luznyj.

"Disappointingly, a number of these were started deliberately and are being investigated by police."

As the number of warm days increased and people spent more time outdoors, the spokesperson said they were also asking people to do everything possible to avoid starting grass fires accidentally.

"It can be as easy as throwing a cigarette on the floor that hasn't been properly put out or leaving glass bottles on the floor that heat up in the sun and set alight," added Mr Luznyj.