Emergency appeal launched after huge fire destroys quarter of Cornish nature reserve
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is hoping to raise ÂŁ7,000 to help the recovery of wildlife and habitats at Rosenannon Downs
An emergency appeal has been launched after a Cornish nature reserve was hit by a massive fire.
Around a quarter of the area at Rosenannon Downs was burnt to the ground.
The blaze could be seen from Wadebridge, Padstow and Bodmin.
Now Cornwall Wildlife Trust wants to raise ÂŁ7,000 to help wildlife and habitats recover.
Read more: Massive fire in area of Cornish nature reserve seen for miles around
The fire started on Tuesday night and firefighters were battling the blaze until the early hours of Wednesday morning.
In a statement posted on their website, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said arson was suspected.
"These fires are started by people who clearly don't understand the damage they are doing.
"Controlled burns are an important way of managing heathlands, but they must be done at the right time of year, and areas to be burned should be planned and small in proportion to the overall size of the site.
"The fires that have burned at Rosenannon Downs are nothing of the sort - a huge proportion of the overall land area has been burned and an expensive fence has been destroyed.
"We are working hard to provide the best possible habitats for wildlife on limited resources, and then some thoughtless actions ruin it all".
Callum Deveney, Head of Nature Reserves at Cornwall Wildlife Trust
"We found Tuesday night's mindless act deeply saddening.
"The sheer ferocity of the fire was so powerful that the firebreaks (specially cut tracks designed to stop fire spread) we put in could only do so much.
"Dormice, voles, shrews, adders, and butterfly pupae will likely be just some of the species to perish.
"Rosenannon Nature Reserve is an important haven for nature and needs your support. We have been to the site and it is clear we are going to need to spend time and money.
"Are you able to donate towards the restoration work so local wildlife populations and habitats can recover?
"To find out more and #donate (it takes less than a min), please head to the emergency appeal website****__.
"Please RT so we can raise the estimated ÂŁ7k required".
Cornwall Wildlife Trust on Twitter
You can read more and find out how to donate to the appeal here.