A COUNCILLOR has described a third fire on Canford Heath in the space of a month as “hugely concerning” and urged anyone who sees suspicious behaviour to report it immediately.

More than 140 999 calls were made to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday, May 22, as a 1.5 acre blaze took hold of the heath.

READ MORE: Third Canford Heath Fire: 'Human intervention' cause of blaze

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: Matt HicksPicture: Matt Hicks

It marked the third fire on the heath in a month, all happening on weekends and starting with a huge blaze the size of 23 football pitches. 

All three fires were suspected to have been started by a human act, and Canford Heath ward councillor Sean Gabriel said the people responsible need to think of the lives they are putting at risk.

He said: “I think the message is about the community all coming together and reporting any concerns and information to the police.

“The police informed me they have lines of enquiry they are following up, patrols are stepping up along the heath, anything we can do as a community to support that helps.

“We need to keep giving them information and eventually they will get to the bottom of it.

“The damage it’s doing, putting people’s lives at risk, how close that first fire came to houses. I am lobbying the BCP Council officers and portfolio holders to get fuller review of fire breaks of the whole area, it is hugely concerning.”

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: Matt HicksPicture: Matt Hicks

READ MORE: Canford Heath fire: Everything we know about the heath fire

Cllr Gabriel said it was “more than reasonable” to listen to residents’ concerns about fire breaks at their properties.

Speaking of the fire, he added: “It’s hugely upsetting. They need to think about people’s lives they are putting at risk and all the wildlife, it’s really sad and really frustrating.

“Eventually the police will get to the bottom of it and catch who is doing it and the community needs to make sure they pass information straight to the police.,” he added.

Cllr Gabriel also reminded people not to take barbecues onto the heath or smoke there.

A spokesperson for the fire service said Sunday’s blaze was believed to have been started by human intervention, but the intent was unknown.

Dorset Police said it was called to the fire on Sunday at 3.29pm and assisted with traffic management.

On Saturday, May 14, police attended the blaze in the area of Belben Road, Poole.

A spokesperson for the force said enquiries into the incident were carried out and no arrests were made. Officers also appealed for witnesses as they investigate the first fire on April 23.

The spokesperson added: “There is nothing to link the three incidents at this time, other than obviously the location, and they are not being treated as linked.”