Fire at nature reserve prompts witness appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fire at a nature reserve in Leicester.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Aylestone Meadows at about 17:00 BST on Monday.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it "remains an ongoing incident", with crews still at the scene on Tuesday damping down the area.

In a statement the service said the fire "is believed to have been deliberately started by persons unknown" and Leicestershire Police said officers were looking to speak to anyone who witnessed the fire or spotted anything suspicious.

A number of fires have broken out across Leicestershire during the recent dry and hot weather, including at Ives Head Trig Point near Shepshed.

The fire service said the incident "began as a small fire, but grew in size quickly due to the warm, dry conditions", leading to additional resources being deployed.

"[It] was difficult for our crews to locate in the first instance, giving it more time to grow in size," the statement said.

"While this fire may have been started deliberately, we continue to ask members of the public to be extra careful with barbecues, cigarettes, bonfires and other things that may start a fire during this heatwave."

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