AN AREA of heathland the equivalent of 23 football pitches was devastated by a fire believed to have been started by human act.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Canford Heath in Poole, to reports of a heath fire at around 6pm on Saturday, April 23.
The fire service received 168 calls relating to the incident and crowds gathered at Canford Heath Roundabout as the fire took hold.
READ MORE: Man describes moment he saw Canford Heath fire
At around 8pm a helicopter flew overhead asking residents to return to their homes and close their doors and windows.
The fire burned for roughly six hours, during this time road closures were put in place and approximately 20 homes in the area of Marshwood Avenue, Culliford Crescent and Pilsdon Drive were evacuated while the fire service tackled the blaze.
Marc House, area manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At the height of the fire we had 15 fire appliances here and four water carriers along with specialist appliances as well and we were supported by colleagues from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service."
READ MORE: Police appealing for witnesses following Canford Heath fire
The fire service declared the fire had been extinguished at around 10pm, with crews set to remain on scene throughout the night.
The evacuated residents stayed at Ashdown Leisure Centre until approximately 12.30am when they were allowed to return home.
The cause of the incident is currently being investigated by Dorset Police and a Fire Investigation Officer from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager Graham Kewley said it was believed to have been started by a human act, but “likely to be reckless rather than any malicious act”.
Dorset Police have released an appeal asking for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward.
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.”
Large areas of the heath have been charred by the fire which the fire service says is likely to regenerate.
However, one council ranger expressed his sadness over the reptiles and other wildlife who were killed, some of which were rare species that they had spent years cultivating.
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