Cause of beauty spot blaze remains a mystery

A probe in to the cause of a large fire that scorched about an acre of land at a beauty spot is still ongoing.

Fire crews were called to the blaze between St Ann's Well and the Worcestershire Beacon at the Malvern Hills on 2 May.

No people or livestock were hurt, but the area is a thriving habitat for wildlife according to rangers from the Malvern Hills Trust.

"I've walked all around the area and there are no obvious signs as to what started [the fire]," ranger Richard Vale said.

He added: "Snakes, slow worms, common lizards and ground nesting birds all live around here.

"The ground has not been that dry yet, it's a bit of a worry ahead of the summer months."

Trust CEO Deborah Fox has urged "anyone thinking of bringing a portable barbecue to the Malvern Hills and Commons to bring a picnic instead and to think carefully before disposing of cigarette ends".

Barbecues are banned on the hills because of the risk of them starting wildfires.

But Vale said he had found multiple people flouting the rule, including one family who had started a fire in a car park.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has not yet responded to a request for an update on its investigation in to the cause of the fire.

County and district councillor Natalie McVey previously urged people to "act responsibly" when visiting the hills.

She said: "We don't yet know what caused the fire, but we can all do our bit to ensure that wildfires do not break out.

"Leave the hills as you find them.

"Do not use temporary barbecues, discard cigarette butts or leave litter behind. Please act responsibly."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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