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Nature reserve fire believed to be arson

Eleanor LawsonWest Midlands
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service Photo shows a fire on a stretch of very dry grass in a nature reserve. Ribbons of flames separate blackened burnt grass from yellow grass. A fence is in the middle of the photo.Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service
The fire damaged a large area at Walkmill Meadows Nature Reserve, the fire service said

A fire which ravaged about 20 sq m of a nature reserve was believed to have been started deliberately, a fire service said.

The blaze at Walkmill Meadows Nature Reserve off Salisbury Hill View in Market Drayton, Shropshire, was tackled by fire crews from 17:50 BST on Monday.

Crews were faced with a rapidly spreading fire with long grass, undergrowth and bracken on fire.

Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby trees and further into the reserve, which the fire service said would have caused a large-scale wildfire.

Market Drayton Fire Station An orange lighter left on blackened, burnt groundMarket Drayton Fire Station
The fire station shared a photo on social media of a discarded lighter left on charred ground at the scene

"We are pleased to report that there were no injuries at this incident," a spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, we are saddened to report that there are indications that the fire appears to have been started deliberately by person(s) unknown."

Anyone with information was urged to call West Mercia Police.

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