Cannock Chase grassland blazes 'started deliberately'

The fires were brought under control within five hours

Two grass fires on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire were started deliberately, the fire service said.

The fires began near Marquis's Drive in Brindley Heath at about 12:30 BST on Monday and were brought under control within about three hours.

About 30 firefighters were at the scene.

Last month, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said it had been called out to more than 70 deliberate grass fires in a week.

On Monday, station manager Dermot Hogan, from the fire service, said crews negotiated "difficult terrain" and access to the fires had been "difficult".

'Very close together'

He said: "It was a very hot day [with] lots of people about and we spent about three hours getting the flames under control.

"We believe it was deliberate. We've had two separate fires very close together but distinctly different."

There were no injuries as a result of the fires

Mr Hogan said members of the public were "very supportive and did keep out of the way".

"It's open as normal," he said. "We'd obviously encourage people to be very responsible with discarded cigarettes or barbecues."

BBC WM reporter Michelle Dawes said a lot of ground had been left blackened from Monday's events, but it was "another beautiful sunny day" on Cannock Chase earlier.

She said: "As it was such a hot, dry day [the fires] really did take hold quite quickly, but they did make good progress in dealing with the fires.

"At the moment it's all looking pretty much open for business.

"Dog walkers have been up and about using the grounds and the fields around Cannock Chase."

There were no injuries as a result of the fires.