Fire crews spent a combined total of five hours battling deliberate grass fires yesterday – the biggest of which burned through an equivalent area of ten rugby pitches.
Firefighters were called to Rudry Common at 9.07pm on Thursday, May 14.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service service said multiple crews attended and successfully fought to extinguish the fire, which was out by 12.30am.
The service said it had spread over an area measuring ten hectares – around ten international-sized rugby pitches.
The fire is suspected to have been deliberate.
Crews also had to contend with two earlier fires in the Blackwood area – both are thought to be deliberate.
It took 80 minutes for a grass fire in Markham to be put out after firefighters were called at 12.40pm.
Another fire in Highfields Way, Blackwood, was attended at 6.23pm and was put out in around 30 minutes.
Deliberate fires an “unnecessary risk on lives”
In a statement, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “While we remain committed to delivering an effective and efficient emergency response across South Wales, we are very aware that many more families will be spending time at home, cooking, washing and using electrical items, which increases the risk of a potential fire.
“Diverting our resources to deal with deliberate fires will draw fundamental and valuable resources away from our communities, placing unnecessary risk on lives.
“We would urge anyone who has information on suspected deliberate fires, or who sees anything suspicious to contact 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“If you see a fire, or anyone starting a fire, please call 999 immediately.”
This article was updated after the fire service confirmed it thought the Rudry fire was deliberate.
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