FIREFIGHTERS were called to Verwood on Friday after an area of woodland went up in flames.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service deployed five appliances, three Land Rovers and a water carrier to Verwood Forest after receiving the call at 11.57am.

On their arrival the firefighters used two mainlines and two beaters to extinguish the blaze, which destroyed an area of heath and woodland totalling 30m x 25m.

The stop message was received at 1.40pm, but crews remain on the scene as they dampened down the area.

Share article

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately.

This latest arson comes less than three weeks after 50 firefighters battled a 75m x 25m blaze at heathland behind Angel Lane in Ferndown, which was also believed to have been started deliberately.