Brierley Hill Nature Reserve blaze involving seven separate fires believed to be arson
A fire that broke out at a Brierley Hill beauty spot is believed to have been started deliberately.
West Midlands Fire Service was called at 6.47pm last night to an outdoor fire near Fens Pool in a nature reserve off North View Drive, Brierley Hill.
Crews arrived within five minutes and found seven separate seats of fire and had to request West Midlands Police to attend 'due to anti-social behaviour’.
At the time of the fire, the service was simultaneously managing a dozen or so incidents across the West Midlands conurbation - eight of them are outdoor fires.
It was also reported that a large number of pedestrians and vehicles were passing by, with police asked to manage traffic.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "One of our drones was flown, to give officers on the ground an overview of the incident. It helps to gauge how far the fire has spread and where it could go next.
"Its thermal imaging camera also helps to pinpoint ‘hotspots’, to which firefighters can then be directed.
"Portable pumps are brought into action, so water from a nearby pool can be used to fight the fires."
The fire was put out by 9:40pm with no casualties reported.
The Fire Service said the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately – in several locations and that police have started their enquiries.
West Midlands Police are now investigating the incident.
A spokesperson said: "We're investigating after several fires were set deliberately in Fens Pool nature reserve yesterday.
"Officers have conducted house to house enquiries to check if anyone saw the offenders or have any CCTV footage.
"Anyone with information should contact us on our website quoting crime number 20/659096/22."
