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Siddick Ponds nature reserve damaged by fire | Siddick Ponds nature reserve damaged by fire |
(about 9 hours later) | |
There are fears up to a third of a west Cumbria nature reserve could have been destroyed by fire. | There are fears up to a third of a west Cumbria nature reserve could have been destroyed by fire. |
Siddick Ponds, on the outskirts of Workington, is home to dozens of breeds of bird and is visited by migratory species such as bitterns. | Siddick Ponds, on the outskirts of Workington, is home to dozens of breeds of bird and is visited by migratory species such as bitterns. |
It is one of six serious blazes believed to have been started deliberately over the past 24 hours. | |
Beaters helped tackle another near Cleator Moor, which covered an area of about 1km (0.6 miles). | |
Firefighters brought the Siddick Ponds blaze under control using water pumped from nearby ponds. The full extent of the damage is not yet known. | |
The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with its reed beds and surrounding grassland providing a home to more than 155 species of waterfowl and other birds. | The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with its reed beds and surrounding grassland providing a home to more than 155 species of waterfowl and other birds. |
These include mute swans, little grebes, redshanks, sedge warblers and whitethroats. | These include mute swans, little grebes, redshanks, sedge warblers and whitethroats. |
'Substantial problems' | |
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with more than 50 deliberate grass and gorse fires over the past two weeks. | |
A spokesman said the Cleator Moor fire was "substantial" and caused problems for firefighters. | |
He said: "We had six appliances and a specialist wildfire team at Cleator Moor. | |
"We do know that there were multiple seats of fire, which means it was started in different places. | |
"It's quite substantial and covered several acres." | |
The fire service has blamed the increase in fires on youngsters on holiday from school and has urged parents to be vigilant. |