POLICE have appealed for witnesses to come forward following the heath fire at Canford Heath.

The fire, which is believed to have been started by a human cause, devastated an area the size of 23 football pitches on Saturday evening.

And officers investigating the cause have now called for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

READ MORE: Huge Canford Heath fire believed to be started by 'human act'

Road closures were put in place and approximately 20 homes in the area of Marshwood Avenue, Culliford Crescent and Pilsdon Drive were evacuated as a precaution as the fire service tackled the blaze.

Sergeant Fern Graham, of the Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This fire has caused damage to a significant area of heathland and we are continuing to liaise with the fire service to establish the cause, which remains undetermined at this time.

“I would urge anyone who was in the Canford Heath area on the afternoon of Saturday April 23 and has any information as to how the fire might have started to please make contact with us. I would also like to hear from anyone who may have captured footage on dashcams or mobile phones that might assist our investigation.

“Finally, can I just issue a message of thanks, firstly to the fire service for their efforts in fighting the fire, but also members of the local community who provided assistance and support to those at the scene, as well as the local leisure centre that opened its doors to displaced residents.”

READ MORE: Canford Heath fire latest as fire crews on heath all night

DW Fire and Rescue also thanked its partners for helping tackle the blaze.

A spokesperson said: “We really appreciate all the positive messages and will make sure these are passed on to those who dealt with the incident.

“We couldn’t deal with these incidents on our own and would like to thank all our partners for their support including Dorset Police, BCP Council, Wessex Water, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Environment Agency - Wessex and everyone else who assisted us yesterday, including all the residents who provided refreshments to crews.

“Our investigation into the cause of the fire has begun. Although we may never be able to identify the true cause, we believe this fire to have been caused deliberately with some human intervention.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220063916.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.