Blaze near football ground started 'deliberately'

News imageContributed A large fire rising up, showing lots of flames and smoke. There are bushes in front of the flames and the sky is dark.Contributed
Four crews were called to Walter Tull Way, at Sixfields, in Northampton, at about 21:45 BST on Sunday

A fire is thought to have been deliberately started close to the Northampton Town Football Club's ground and a town's rubbish tip.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were called to Walter Tull Way, at Sixfields, at about 21:45 BST on Sunday.

The large fire spread to about 50 sqm (538 ft) of hedgerow, bushes, and fly-tipped waste, a spokesperson said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was close to the League Two club's ground and Sixfields Household Waste Recycling Centre, and left the scene at about 00:45.

"Firefighters returned later this morning to carry out an after-fire inspection," the spokesperson added.

"Using thermal imaging cameras, crews checked for hotspots, which were then dampened down using a hose reel jet and drag forks.

"The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate," they said.

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