New Dorset heath fire suspected 'arson'

An area of Dorset heathland has been damaged by a fire which is believed to have been started deliberately.

Firefighters were called to Canford Heath near Poole at 2000 BST on Saturday after receiving numerous calls about the blaze.

Two pumps and a Land Rover attended the scene where 500 sq metres (546 sq yards) of heath was alight.

Crews used hose reels and beaters to extinguish the flames and remained at the scene until 2100 BST.

Dorset Police are treating the incident as arson.

In June a one sq km area (247 acres) of heath near Upton was destroyed by a fire, which was started deliberately.

At its height, 200 firefighters were tackling the blaze.

Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes, four people were treated after breathing in smoke and one firefighter was taken to hospital with exhaustion.