THE cause of a large heath fire on the weekend is “suspicious” and is being “treated as deliberate”, the fire service has confirmed.

Seven crews were called to Winfrith Newburgh at 12.51pm on Sunday to a blaze in heath and undergrowth.

READ MORE: Firefighters from across Dorset tackle heath blaze

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, providing an update, said: “We were called to Winfrith Newburgh at 12.51pm yesterday for a fire involving approx. 60m x 30m of heath and undergrowth.

“Crews attended from Wareham, Dorchester, Poole and Weymouth, together with small 4x4 pumping appliances from Bere Regis, Poole, Hamworthy and Swanage, water carriers from Poole and Bridport, and the Unimog from Wareham – approx. 30 firefighters.

“Multiple main jets and hose reel jets were used to fight the fire, and the stop was at 2.30pm. We maintained an attendance on site until shortly after 5pm, although there were reinspections last night and this morning to deal with any hotspots. Another will be made this afternoon.

“The cause of the fire is suspicious, and it is being treated as deliberate, with investigations ongoing.”