Footpath pellets go up in flames at Tipton's Sheepwash Nature Reserve

The bagged chippings, which are laid to form a pathway, were damaged in the blaze at Sheepwash Nature Reserve in Tipton.

The fire also spread to a signpost at the beauty spot.

The rubber was left scattered over the ground following the fire on Monday night.

It has not yet been confirmed how much the chippings were worth and whether they can still be used.

But fire chiefs said the project to improve the area was likely to have been disrupted by the blaze. West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Neil Spencer said: "We had a call that initially came in on Monday night where somebody thought some tyres were on fire. It was found that five tonnes of rubber pellets were on fire in a yard.

"We understand the rubber is being used as part of work to improve the footpaths at Sheepwash Nature Reserve. How the fire started isn't exactly clear."

The rubber has already been used to form some new pathways at the site, which is popular with dog walkers.

Sandwell Council's environment boss, Councillor David Hosell, said he believed that the blaze could have been started deliberately.

He added: "I only wish the people responsible could put their energies to doing something positive rather than this mindless vandalism." Tipton councillor Peter Allen said if the fire was started deliberately then it was 'appalling'.

He said: "My main concern is we are trying to scrape around for money to invest into Sheepwash and things like this are very disappointing.

"We are trying to make the area more people friendly and things like this ruin it for everybody.

"I would encourage people who see anything like this to report it to the police immediately."

The nature reserve is 39 hectares of woodland, grassland, pools, streams and the River Tame linking the various habitats.

A fire service spokesman said it was not ruling out arson but said the blaze could also have been caused by a discarded cigarette.