THE MALVERN Hills Trust has been surveying the damage caused by a fire between the iconic Worcestershire Beacon and St Ann’s Well Café.
Just before 5pm on Saturday May 2, a member of the public contacted the Trust with a report of a fire nearby to the Worcestershire Beacon.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service made contact immediately afterwards.
By 6.30pm, the fire and rescue service confirmed to the Trust’s CEO, Deborah Fox, that the fire was surrounded and the fire crew was damping it down.
There were no casualties, either people or livestock and heavy rain was forecast all night until 4am and had already started, aiding the control of the fire.
The CEO and Rangers visited the site in the morning and documented evidence of the fire, which covered approximately an acre in size.
Trees and undergrowth were blackened but there was no obvious source of the fire. The path above the fire had acted as a natural fire break.
Deborah Fox, CEO of the Trust, said: “John Michael, Chair, and I want to thank the crew at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for containing the fire and putting it out.
“It would have spread rapidly, given the dry spell of weather we’ve had.
“It is devastating to think that this is the season of ground nesting birds. Luckily, whilst cattle were on the Hill at the time, they were grazing on the other side of the Hill.
“The path above the fire acted as a natural fire break. We do not want to speculate about the cause of the fire at this time and wait to hear the results of an investigation into its cause.
“Regardless of the cause of this fire, I would urge anyone thinking of bringing a portable BBQ to the Malvern Hills and Commons to bring a picnic instead and to think carefully before disposing of cigarette ends.”
