A VITAL witness is being sought after a maliciously started heath fire devastated an area of Poole’s Canford Heath.

Dorset Police have launched an appeal and are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information.

The area is thought to have been deliberately torched and it is believed that a member of the public may have vital information.

The incident took place on Monday around 8.30pm at the rear of Haymoor Middle School alongside Canford Heath Road.

No one was hurt but the fire reduced an area of approximately 300 square metres of scarce heathland to cinders.

PC Dave Street of Poole police said: “I understand that when Dorset Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene that a woman told fire officers that she knew who was responsible for the blaze.

“She was asked to remain at the scene and talk to the police, but she left before this was possible.

“I would ask her to contact me urgently – it’s important that I find out exactly what happened.”

He said: “I am also appealing for witnesses, and anyone with any information about those responsible, to contact us as soon as possible.”

As well as housing a large residential estate, Canford Heath is one of the largest remaining areas of heathland in Dorset.

It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, protected under UK law and is home to all six British reptile species and rare birds such as the Dartford warbler and nightjar, which are currently nesting.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222222 quoting incident 18:571 or call free and anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.