Three grass fires in two days has prompted the fire service to issue a warning for residents to be on their guard.
Spontaneous combustion sparked two fires on Hutton Drive in Macclesfield last week in an area full of bracken and coarse grassland.
The first, on Tuesday, March 22, at 3pm, saw an area of 60 metres by 80 metres catch fire while another grass fire the next day measured 8 metres by 30 metres.
And on the same day a blaze on Mudhurst Lane in Disley involved a controlled fire which got out of control, setting a large area of gorse alight.
Alex Waller, performance manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Because fires in grassland and gorse spread quickly I would urge anyone who sees a fire in the open to contact us immediately to prevent the situation getting worse.”
Firefighters give the following advice: dispose of smoking materials properly and make sure they are completely extinguished, do not leave camp fires or barbecues unattended and extinguish them properly after use, clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass to prevent them magnifying the sun's rays, and when starting a fire explain to children the dangers of playing with lighted fires.
For more information log on to cheshirefire.gov.uk .
