Three teenage boys arrested in connection with the Parkgate Marsh fire have now been released on conditional bail.
The boys, two of them aged 13, the other 14, were arrested by the Cheshire Police yesterday on suspicion of arson. Their arrests were made in connection with the Parkgate Marsh wildfire last which occurred last weekend.
Emergency services rushed to the area just before 6.30pm on Saturday, with six fire crews from both Cheshire and Merseyside being called in. At its peak the fire covered 500 square metres of marshland, devastating natural wildlife and creating huge clouds of black smoke which residents could see from their homes in Parkgate.
READ MORE: Three teenage boys arrested after devastating Parkgate wildfire
The blaze was largely extinguished by 11.30pm on Saturday, but fire crews remained on scene overnight. People were asked to stay away from the area.
Within hours of the first reports of the fire, Cheshire Police confirmed that they were treating the incident as arson. They soon released information of the people of interest who they wished to speak to regarding the investigation and asked residents to check CCTV cameras and dash-cams for footage that could be of assistance.
The next day, Cheshire Police confirmed that three teenage boys had been arrested on suspicion of arson.
Crowds gathered on The Parade in Parkgate to watch the fire devastate the marshland, and people in the area were astonished to see the marshland on fire, especially given the fact that it is home to a variety of wildlife.
Jane Woodhead, who lives nearby, told the ECHO: “I feel really saddened, it’s a big part of our community. It’s scary as well. A lot of rare wildlife live on the marshland, it’s really worrying the impact it could have on them.”
Mrs Cartwright, who has lived in the area for the last 35 years, said it's the second fire she's seen on the marshland during that time. She said: “The sad thing about it is there’s creatures in there. You feel heavy hearted.”
The RSPB, who maintain the Burton Mere Wetlands, an area hit by the fire, assessed the damage left by the fire on Monday.
They said: “The RSPB’s Dee Estuary reserve team has now assessed the damage caused by Saturday night’s tragic fire at Neston Reedbed near Parkgate. About 10 hectares of marsh was burnt in the fire, including all the reedbed vegetation and some areas of saltmarsh vegetation.
“While we’re hopeful the root systems have survived, and that the reeds will grow back over the coming years, there is no chance of wildlife successfully nesting in those areas in the coming months. It will be a year or two at the earliest before this area can once again support breeding birds including bearded tits, Cetti’s warblers and marsh harriers. Please help us to give wildlife alternative nesting space on the rest of the reedbed by sticking to paths, and keeping dogs on short leads and under close control.
“We’d again like to thank the emergency services for their work helping to tackle and investigate the fire, and the local community for the incredible support our team has received in person and on social media. We’re also asking that anyone with information that could help with the police investigation contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 1226437, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
