Arson at Fawley Inclosure among string of New Forest fires as another heatwave sparks further alerts
AN arson attack that devastated part of a New Forest beauty spot was among a number of fires as another heatwave sparked further alerts.
Bonfires, barbecues and campfires continue to be banned across the district amid the particularly warm and dry conditions that have left woodland areas vulnerable to blazes.
The Met Office issued an amber extreme heat warning today (Tuesday) for south-west England between midnight on Thursday and midnight on Monday 15th August.
Police have launched an arson investigation after firefighters spent over three hours battling flames engulfing a 40x20m area of Fawley Inclosure.
The alarm was raised around 5.45pm on Sunday, and crews from Hardley, Ringwood, Burley and Beaulieu used jets, beaters and water bowsers to contain the emergency.
Officers were alerted following reports youths on bikes were spotted fleeing the scene of the blaze.
A local police Facebook post said: “Officers are investigating the suspected arson but encourage walkers and cyclists in the area to be extra vigilant.
“If you spot anything suspicious in the Forest you think might be related to these incidents please report it straight away on 999.
“With the dry weather a forest fire can easily get out of control, putting lives at risk and destroying huge areas of our beautiful national park.”
Signs had to be added to the site’s access gates after a parked vehicle obstructed firefighters and Forestry England officers responding to the emergency.
Fortunately, the driver soon returned and moved it after fire engine horns were sounded.
A Twitter post by Hardley’s fire crew afterwards said: “These access gates must be kept clear at all times, they provide essential access for our firefighters and other emergency services to get within the enclosures.”
Police were alerted last Thursday night after a discarded fuel container was found near a 70x20m gorse and grassland blaze battled by firefighters for nearly three hours off Fawley Road in Hythe last Thursday.
Crews also extinguished a fire involving an area of dense woodland at Burley Rails Enclosure, off Lyndhurst Road, around 5.40pm last Friday.
Across three consecutive days from last Wednesday, they responded to a bonfire in Nouale Lane, Poulner, which was found unattended on two occasions.
On Saturday police teamed up with crews to discuss fire safety and answer residents’ concerns at Pennington Common – the scene of two suspected deliberate blazes in six days.
As reported in the A&T, discarded lighters were found at the scene of the first fire on 24th July, which damaged a 1.5-hectare area of the site off Ramley and Wainsford roads.
Firefighters also believed a blaze on Saturday 30th July was started deliberately.
But a force spokesperson said the first incident had been filed as non-suspicious and the second was also filed.
In Christchurch, a police patrol finding evidence fires had been lit in the area sparked a warning to stop such behaviour.
The Met Office’s amber warning states adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat.
The lack of rain also resulted in a hosepipe ban being put in place in some areas of Hampshire.
Anyone with information about the Fawley Inclosure arson should contact Hampshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
