ARSON was suspected as the cause of one of two fires attended to by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in North Cornwall on April 3.

Fire crews from Wadebridge were called to reports of a fire seen in the distance at Lanow Lane, St Kew at around 3.30 pm.

It is the latest in a recent spate of arson attacks in the open across Cornwall, with recent incidents reported at Rosenannon Downs, Dozmary Pool and St Keverne also being investigated as suspected arson.

Upon arrival it transpired that the fire was burning over two fronts, requiring the use of a main jet, a hose reel jet and beaters to extinguish the blaze.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: “One crew from Wadebridge attended a call to a fire seen in the distance. On crews arrival a request for a second major appliance and two Land Rovers was made. The fire was burning over two fronts, one measuring 100 by 100 metres, the second 200 by 50 metres. The fires were extinguished using one main jet, a hose reel jet and beaters. The cause of the fire is suspected as arson.”

Elsewhere, three fire crews from Wadebridge and Bodmin attended a bonfire which had become out of control and had spread across the moorland at Church town, St Breward.

The spokesperson added: “Three crews from Wadebridge and Bodmin attended a call to a moorland fire that was being fanned by winds. On arrival crews located a fire that had spread to cover an area of 100 by 50 metres. The fire was out on crews arrival, one hose reel was used to damp the area down. Advice was given to the owner of the bonfire before leaving scene.”