Drone footage shows the scale of the devastation left behind by a fire on marshland in Wirral.
The blaze is suspected to have been started deliberately in the Wirral village of Parkgate, near Neston, on Saturday evening, March 19. Cheshire Police is keen to speak to a group of teenagers who were seen in the area at around 6.20pm and may have information that could help with their investigation.
Ariel images show the aftermath of the fire which has scorched a large area of the marshland after it raged on into the evening. Neighbours used hosereels in a bid to keep the flames away from their homes which could be seen from as far away as North Wales.
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The fire led to fears for wildlife living on the marsh, which is an area of special scientific interest and a reserve cared for by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The RSPB said it was “shocked and saddened” by the fire which had “devastated” the Neston reedbed, part of its Burton Mere Wetlands reserve, and the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Police said they were looking for three boys and a girl, aged between 14 and 15, in connection with the suspected arson. The girl had long dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket.
The two boys were wearing dark jackets and the third teenager was wearing a light blue jacket and trousers. They are believed to have gone in the direction of Moorside Lane.
Inspector Paul Fegan, of Ellesmere Port local policing unit, said: “The scale of the fire has understandably shocked and upset our local community and residents can expect to see officers patrolling the area to provide reassurance.
“We’re doing everything possible to find those responsible and are currently following numerous lines of enquiry.
“As part of our investigation I am keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area shortly before the fire started and saw a group of youths matching the description.
“I also want to hear from anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist us in piecing together how the fire started.”
If you have information, CCTV or dash cam footage please contact Cheshire Constabulary online or contact 101 quoting IML 1226437. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
