A ‘DELIBERATE’ fire was started at a Poole nature reserve with the blaze spreading to nearby fencing.

Firefighters were called to Bourne Valley Nature Reserve at 11.50am on August 7 after reports of a fire across the heathland.

The blaze affected around 10m x 5m of area with crews attending from Redhill Park and Westbourne, along with a 4x4 appliance from Poole.

The fire service found several seats of fire and damage to nearby fencing, with crews reporting this as deliberate to the police.

Another fire was reported in the same area at 2.35pm, with the fire service still on scene damping down the land.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to an area of Bourne Valley Nature Reserve behind Monkton Crescent in Poole at 11.50am this morning (7 August) for a fire affecting approx.

“10m x 5m of heathland. Two crews attended, from Redhill Park and Westbourne, together with a small 4x4 appliance from Poole.

“One hose reel jet was used, and our stop was at 12.07pm.

“The fire also damaged some fencing, and it was reported to the police as deliberate, as there were several seats of fire.

“Another small fire in the same area was then reported at 2.35pm, with the same attendance as this morning.

“The stop for this was at 2.52pm but we are still on scene at present, damping down the area.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report from the fire service at 12.11pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024 of a fire at the Bourne Valley Nature Reserve off Monkton Crescent in Poole.

"Officers responded and the fire service had extinguished the burn, which was believed to have been started deliberately.

"We will be carrying out further enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the fire and identify anyone involved. No arrests have been made."