Fires at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve may be 'deliberate'

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) responded to fires across Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, Talbot Heath and Turbary Common.

All the fires are thought to have been started deliberately and are now under investigation by Dorset Police.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, April 6, at 2.36am, 12 firefighters from Poole fire station were sent to Bourne Valley Nature Reserve.

They located and extinguished seven small fires across a 100m x 10m area of heathland near the skate park.

At 12.01am on Sunday, DWFRS was called to another fire at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, affecting an area of 50m x 50m.

Around 30 firefighters were sent from Westbourne, Redhill Park, Poole, Wimborne and Christchurch to tackle the blaze.

On Sunday evening, at 4.57pm, around 26 firefighters from Westbourne, Redhill Park, Christchurch and Wimborne dealt with a fire at Talbot Heath, affecting an area of 80m x 20m.

Then, at 7.49pm, DWFRS was called to Turbary Common for a fire affecting an area of 25m x 25m.

This was attended by around 16 firefighters from Westbourne, Redhill Park and Poole.

In the early hours of Monday, at 12.07am, approximately 20 firefighters from Westbourne, Poole and Wimborne were called to a fire involving around 75m x 25m of heathland near the skate park in Bourne Valley Nature Reserve. 

Daylight at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve has revealed charred and severely damaged heathland.

Bourne Valley Nature Reserve (Image: Daily Echo)

Residents walking in the nature reserve on Sunday described their sadness at yet another fire on the heathland. 

Poole resident Elaine Sidley, out walking her dog, said she was “disheartened” to see the “destruction” the fire has left behind. 

She said: “There are so many animals that live here – reptiles, insects, protected animals – that to see their home destroyed like this is sad. 

“But there are always fires here, kids are always starting them, and until somebody teaches them not to do it it’s always going to happen.” 

Dorset Police said its enquiries into the matter are ongoing and local officers will be conducting increased patrols in the area.