Grass fires break out at Warrington after arsonists strike

TWO large grass fires broke out at Warrington – and one was believed to have been started deliberately.
Firefighters tackled the fires with hose reel jets and beaters as large areas of grass – tinder dry after days of intense heat – were engulfed in flames.
A crew from Penketh was called to Thames Road, Culcheth at around 3.15pm.
On arrival the crew discovered a grass fire measuring approximately 200 metres by 50 metres.
Firefighters used two hose reel jets and six beaters to extinguish the large fire.
They were in attendance for around two-and-a-half hours.
Around the same time, a fire broke out in Loushers Lane, Warrington – again on playing fields.
A fire crew from Lymm attended and found an area of about 50 metres by 10 metres was alight.
They used a hose reel jet and beaters to extinguish the fire and then damped down the whole area – the operation taking about an hour.
A Fire Service spokesperson said the fire was believed to have been started deliberately and appealed to the public for information.
Anyone with information was asked to call police on 101 or the anonymous Creimstoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.
Firefighters from Penketh also went to a fire in a garden in Lingley Road, Great Sankey.
A fence, decking and garden furniture were damaged and a hose reel jet was used to tackle the outbreak, believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.