Wildfire deemed to be deliberate

Firefighters have extinguished a wildfire in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 10.40am today (Wednesday 12 August) to Hollington Drive in Fegg Hayes following reports of a fire.

Three appliances and the 4x4 ranger attended the scene and found a grass fire measuring approximately 100 metres by 50 metres.

Crews used beaters and a high pressure hose reel jet to tackle the fire and nobody has been reported injured.

Watch Manager Neil Gordon, who attended the incident, said: “I would like to reiterate the dangers of deliberately setting fires, especially during the recent heatwave.

“The ground is extremely dry, meaning that fires can spread and become catastrophic extremely quickly.

“Deliberate fires also place unnecessary demand on our resources and could result in those responsible being given a criminal record, which stays with them for life and can significantly impact on their future prospects."