“MALICIOUS” fires were started on three separate areas of a nature reserve in Poole on Saturday evening (14).

Six fire crews rushed to the scenes on areas of Bourne Valley Heath adjacent to Evering Avenue, St Brelades Avenue, and Plemont Close in the town’s Alderney district at about 7pm.

Fire fighters were forced to use two off-road vehicles to reach three separate “seats” of fire, plumbing powerful hoses into mains water supplies in a bid to beat the blazes.

“This happens every year, but this time they have really gone to town. It’s really sad. Usually, I can smell the smoke but this time I heard the fire engines,” said a woman from Plemont Close.

People living in St Brelades Avenue said the damaged areas of heath were officially designated as sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).

“There’s all sorts of wildlife over there – deer, foxes, and rare birds. I walk across there sometimes to get a paper or go to Sainsbury. Its very peaceful,” said one neighbour.

All three fires were extinguished by 7.30pm, though fire crews stayed on for several hours damping down potential hot spots.

A spokesman for the fire service said “numerous” calls had been received from concerned residents and that “several” police units had patrolled the area.

A police spokesman confirmed that the fires were being treated as arson and said 11 officers had been sent to the area to look for offenders after calls from the public were received shortly before 7pm.

Investigations into the cause of the fire continue, he added.