Long Mynd fire could be deliberate
A large gorse fire which was tackled by nearly 50 firefighters on a stretch of the Long Mynd in Shropshire is believed to have been started deliberately.
The fire happened at Novers Hill in the Cwm Vale Valley close to Church Stretton on Tuesday.
Fire officers said it was likely to have been started deliberately and now the matter has been referred to the police.
The alarm was raised just before 4.30pm with two fire crews from Shrewsbury arriving to find the hillside well alight and gorse and grass burning. They were joined by crews from Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Bridgnorth and Telford.
At the height of the blaze, 48 firefighters were on the scene.
John Das Gupta, area commander for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We believe it has been started deliberately.
"We have had the wettest summer and winter on record and the gorse would not have ignited by itself."
But he added: "It could have been accidental by someone throwing a cigarette out of their car."
Incident commander Steve Baige said firefighters went to the lowest point of the fire to prevent it from spreading.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
