Areas of Hednesford Hills reserve destroyed by fire in arson attacks
Areas of a nature reserve in Staffordshire have been destroyed by fires after suspected arson attacks.
Firefighters have been called out to Hednesford Hills Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest a number of times in the last week, and rare berries and trees used by rare birds have been lost.
The news comes after two other areas of woodland in Cannock Chase were scorched by fires within 24 hours earlier this week.
One acre of woodland was decimated by the blaze on Monday evening after a deliberate attack.
Cannock Chase Council Countryside Service posted online about the latest incidents saying: "We are sad to report that Hednesford Hills Local Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest has been victim to a number of suspected arson incidents over the last week or so.
"The latest incident occurred at 7.30pm on Tuesday night.
"Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service had to be called again on Wednesday by Countryside Service staff who were concerned about areas still smouldering, and dampened down the area.
"Areas containing the rare hybrid bilberry aka The Cannock Chase Berry have been lost.
"Trees where the rare Welsh Clearwing live have also been damaged along with areas of good quality heathland containing a mix of heather, cowberry, bilberry, crowberry."
The workers continued thanking the firefighters who worked to prevent more damage being done.
"We would like to thank Staffordshire Fire and Rescue who (as always) have done a great job in preventing more extensive damage to this locally treasured site," they added.
