POLICE are hunting arsonists who targeted a section of heathland in Poole on Easter Sunday.

Fire crews from Poole and Redhill and a Landrover from Wimborne were called to the blaze on part of Canford Heath at around 6.05pm.

They extinguished the blaze using a hose reel jet and a jet from the Landrover.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said the cause was believed to be deliberate and the fire, which covered an area of 50 metres squared, had damaged precious heathland and forestry.

Poole resident Terry Kinnear, who lives off Poole Lane, said he was alerted to the fire by the plumes of smoke in the area.

“I was coming along the road and could see the smoke. I drove there to see if the fire brigade needed to be called because judging by the amount of smoke I thought it was a big one.

“When I got there the fire crews were already driving past.

“It only takes a cigarette or broken glass or a bored kid or adult and the whole area has gone up.”

Dorset Police say they are investigating the incident but no one was seen in the area.

The fire on Canford Heath is the latest in a series of incidents on heathland in Bournemouth and Poole in recent weeks.

On Saturday, March 31 500 square metres of land at Canford Cliffs was destroyed in a fire accidentally ignited by a stray firework.

Poole Borough Council said it would take 10 to 20 years for the heathland to recover.

The cliffs are home to reptile species including the common lizard and the rare sand lizard.

And on March 28 arsonists targeted heathland at Turbary Common in Bournemouth.

Police appealed for witnesses after a young woman was seen in the area.