Dozens of firefighters tackle series of gorse fires on Bodmin Moor as authorities investigate arson

Dozens of firefighters have been forced to tackle a series of infernos spread over Bodmin Moor, while police are asking locals to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour.

Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service said it began to receive calls to a gorse fire on Bodmin Moor shortly before midnight and found a series of blazes across the area.

A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed they were treating the incident as suspect arson.

They added: “On arrival, further resources were requested to deal with a mile long fire front,” the service said.

“Shortly afterwards, further calls were received to the Bolventor area with reports of a further fire were developing.

“It was quickly established that further resources were required to deal with 4 fire fronts spread over a distance of 2 miles.”

Witness Olivia Tomlin tweeted: “Another huge gorse fire up on Bodmin Moor. In 3 different locations, coming very close to the A30… people’s houses are so close to these fires and livestock are living in those fields.”

Over 80 emergency services personnel spread over two miles were still tackling the fires on Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police confirmed they had been assisting the fire service but said they were: “awaiting further details in relation to this incident.”

They added asked if anyone had any information to email 101@dc.police.uk quoting log number 71 for the 18 of April.