Three teenage boys have been arrested after a devastating wildfire at Parkgate.
Emergency services rushed to the marshland in Parkgate, near Neston, Wirral shortly before 6.30pm on Saturday as thick black smoke was sent billowing across the area. Crowds gathered on The Parade in Parkgate, an area that is popular with walkers and tourists, to watch the fire as it raged on into the evening.
At the height of the fire, which covered 500 square metres of marshland, six fire crews from Cheshire and Merseyside were at the scene. A police helicopter was sent out to monitor the direction the blaze was spreading in as the wind continued to blow the flames further. Firefighters used fire breaks to protect the homes of residents who lived nearby.
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Just hours after the blaze began Cheshire Police said they were treating the incident as arson. Now officers have confirmed three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson.
Three boys, two aged 13 and one aged 14 are in police custody and being interviewed by officers.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service alerted police to the fire which is suspected to have been started deliberately. The blaze was largely extinguished by 11.30pm on Saturday but fire crews remained at the scene into the early hours of Sunday. People were asked to stay away from the area.
People in the area were shocked and saddened to see the fire on the marshland, which is home to a large 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.”
