THE fire service said lives were put at risk last night as crews battled two heathland blazes in Dorset.

Arsonists are believed to be behind the latest summer fire on Canford Heath, while 500 square metres burned in Studland during the evening in a fire also believed to be deliberate.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Tweeted to say crews were stretched when they were called to a property fire in Swanage at around 8pm.

All those inside were accounted for.

Firefighters were called to the first incident at lunchtime. Plumes of thick black smoke could be seen from the Dorset Way.

It follows a major fire on the heath less than a month ago.

On July 16, flames swept across seven hectares of heathland – the size of 10 football pitches – after fires were allegedly ignited in several locations. A 16-year-old boy was arrested by police following the July incident.

Yesterday’s fire was situated just metres away from the July inferno site.

Temporary crew manager Jason Reynolds said two crews from Poole Fire Station and a Land Rover from Wimborne were called to the fire. He said: “We could see the smoke as we left the station. It’s a very visible spot up here.”

Firefighters were called at around 12.30pm.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue spokesperson said there was “nothing to suggest” that the fire was anything other than deliberate, and the police have been informed.

Nature conservation officer Jez Martin said: “It’s just horrible.

“The damage to the open space and the wildlife is awful, and it’s not very nice for people going through these areas.”

In the second incident, six fire crews tackled a blaze near Greenlands Farm in Studland.

Christine Robinson, manager of the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club, said: “The smoke was billowing quite a lot, but we only saw a few flames.”

The B3351 Ferry Road was closed while the fire was tackled.

Fire crews were called to Studland in early July to fight two fires in two days.

One of the blazes, which covered around a hectare of heathland, was believed to have been started deliberately.