Arsonists torch 2,000 tonnes of straw in field near Chatteris
Crews spend hours at scene of blaze to stop fire spreading
Arsonists torched 2,000 tonnes of straw in a Fenland field over the bank holiday weekend.
An appeal for witnesses has now been launched following the blaze near Chatteris.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 5.54pm on Sunday (25) one crew from Chatteris attended a fire involving a stack of approximately 2000 tonnes of baled straw near Landwood Fen Drove.
“The decision was made to allow the fire to burn itself out but one crew was on site until lunchtime on Monday (26) to ensure it didn’t spread to nearby outbuildings.
“The cause of the fire was deliberate. Anyone with information should contact police by visiting www.cambs.police.uk to submit an online report or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
Crews were also kept busy at the scene of another Fenland blaze over the weekend.
The spokesperson said: “At 12.32pm on Saturday (24) crews from Ramsey and Huntingdon were called to a field stubble fire off the A141 near Old Hurst.
“Firefighters arrived to find 6 hay bales on fire which were spreading across three fields. They extinguished the fire and returned to their stations by 2.30pm.
“The cause of the fire was accidental.”