Massive rise in Easter grass fires in south east Wales

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Grass fireImage source, @deano4lyf
Image caption,

Fire service figures show the majority of the fires were started over Easter weekend

Crews have tackled 174 deliberately started grass fires in south east Wales since the start of April, compared to just 13 for the same period last year.

Rhondda Cynon Taff has been the worst area with 64 fires, while more than 20 were started in each of Caerphilly, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent.

The majority have been over Easter.

In north Wales, police and fire investigators are hunting arsonists after a spate of fires near Blaenau Ffestiniog on two successive nights.