A FORDINGBRIDGE man is urging others to be vigilant after finding a glass bottle which he believes was being used to deliberately try and start a fire.

Graham Witt, of Midgham Farm, found the bottle filled with dry grass perched on a stick in direct sunlight in a hedgerow near the farm on Monday.

“To start off with I wasn’t quite sure what it was. Once I got close enough to see what it was a couple of expletives came out my mouth,” he said.

“It is almost certain that someone has deliberately tried to start a fire. It is infuriating and rather demoralising why anyone would want to do it.

“How it was set up someone was deliberately trying to create that scenario. At least it was in a hedgerow that is away from the farm and not next to the house where my kids are, and the barn which is full of straw,” Graham said.

“It is not ideal to think someone is doing that on your land just for fun I suppose. I don’t know why you would leave something like that.”

Graham hopes this will make others aware and to keep an eye out.

Watch manager at Fordingbridge Fire Station, Pete White, said: “In this particularly tinder dry weather which we have now been experiencing for weeks any attempts to potentially start grass or field fires is not only putting the emergency services under additional pressure, with a far greater number of calls being attended than usual at the moment, but also risks causing long term damage to our local habit and wildlife.

“It also puts human lives at risk as fires in these dry conditions can develop extremely quickly and be very unpredictable.”

And Steve Ash, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s group manager for the New Forest, said: “The heatwave conditions that we have experienced in the last few months have greatly increased the risk of fire in the area.

“So far this summer, we have dealt with around twice as many wildfires in Hampshire as we did last year. Many of these could have been prevented if people followed some very simple advice.

“Dispose properly of items such as cigarette butts and glass bottles, which can magnify the sun’s rays, and ensure barbecues and bonfires are properly extinguished.

“Anyone who spots anything they suspect could be deliberate fires being started should report them to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

For fire safety advice go to hantsfire.gov.uk/keeping-safe/atleisure/in-the-countryside/