Fire which broke out on protected area in Staffordshire was deliberate
Staffordshire Police are now investigating
Staffordshire Police are investigating, after a fire broke out on a protected area of lowland heath.
The fire service confirmed the blaze, at Gentleshaw Common Nature Reserve, near Burntwood, was started deliberately on Friday (4 April).
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, in a statement, said "We have deemed a large grass fire at Gentleshaw Common to have been caused deliberately.
"Fire crews were called to the nature reserve at around 8pm on Friday (4 April). Six crews attended the scene and extinguished the fire by around midnight.
"Fire investigators later deemed the fire to have been caused deliberately.
"The incident has been left with colleagues from Staffordshire Police."
A spokesperson for the police said: "Together with specialist wildlife officers, Lichfield local policing team is investigating the fire which damaged a significant part of Gentleshaw Common, Burntwood.
"We were called by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at 8.20pm on Friday evening (4 April) to reports of a gorse fire, just off Chorley Road.
"We recognise the loss to local wildlife and the risk to life and personal property.
"Officers are keen to talk to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area prior to the fire and in particular two people who were in the area of the fire who may be able to assist with our enquiries.
"We are urging anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage of the area at the time to get in touch."