Fears for wildlife after fire crews tackle blaze at RSPB reserve

A large fire broke out across marshland near Neston on Saturday evening. Credit: Twitter/@ilovetolift13

A large blaze started on marshland on the Wirral is being treated as arson, with officers keen to speak to a group of teenagers in connection with the incident.

Fire crews were called at around 6.20pm on Saturday to Parkgate, near Neston, where around a square kilometre of marsh was in flames.

The fire prompted concerns for wildlife on the marsh, which is an area of special scientific interest and a reserve cared for by wildlife charity RSPB.

Police have been advised it is suspected that the fire was started deliberately.

  • Drone footage from Ben Hulme.

Officers said they are particularly keen to speak to a group of teenagers who were seen in the area at around 6.20pm and may have information that could help with their investigation.The three boys and a girl are described as being aged between 14 and 15. The girl had long dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket.

The two boys were wearing dark jackets and the third teenager was wearing a light blue jacket and trousers.

Police are keen to speak to a group of teenagers in connection with the incident. Credit: Liverpool Echo

They are believed to have gone in the direction of Moorside Lane.

Cheshire Police said a number of enquiries were underway including carrying out house-to-house enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage.

Just before 7am on Sunday Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed staff had carried out a thermal imaging sweep of the area and there was no sign of fire.

On Saturday, the fire service said six engines were deployed with firefighters initially battling two areas with beaters and hoses.

Fire engines were scrambled to the scene at the area in Parkgate. Credit: Twitter/@Jack_Dugdale

Later in the evening crews set up fire breaks to protect nearby properties after leaving the fire to burn due to unstable ground.

Station manager Carl Nevitt, the officer in charge, said on Saturday night: "The marshland is a site of special scientific interest.

"The fire is covering around one square kilometre of the area and is being driven by wind.

"We have created fire breaks to protect properties and the police air support unit has been used to give us information on the directional spread of the blaze."

The fire covered around one square kilometre of the area. Credit: Ben Hulme

Inspector Paul Fegan, of Ellesmere Port local policing unit, said: "The scale of the fire has understandably shocked and upset our local community and residents can expect to see officers patrolling the area to provide reassurance."We're doing everything possible to find those responsible and are currently following numerous lines of enquiry."As part of our investigation I am keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area shortly before the fire started and saw a group of youths matching the description."I also want to hear from anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist us in piecing together how the fire started."

Officers on the scene in Neston. Credit: Liverpool Echo

An RSPB spokesperson said: "We're shocked and saddened by the fire that has devastated the Neston Reedbed part of our reserve this evening.

"The full extent of the damage won't be known until daylight tomorrow, and we'll share further details once more information emerges."

People have taken to social media to express their horror, with one Twitter user describing the fire as a "dreadful sight".

Another wrote: "This is terrible and a disaster for wildlife at the start of the breeding season."