Fire in field near Grove estate was ‘deliberate’ arson

Thames Valley Police have launched an investigation into the fire which blazed on the field behind the Wellington Gate estate in Grove late in the evening of Sunday, August 16.

The fire affected a patch of grass and hedgerow measuring about 50 metres square, and three fire engines were sent to contain and eventually extinguish the blaze.

Police were called to the incident at 10.42pm, but fire crews were called at about 9.35pm on Sunday, and used hose reels and beaters to put it out before departing at 11.04pm.

The police’s neighbourhood team for Wantage said the fire is suspected to be deliberate arson, and are appealing for information on a number of people seen nearby on the night.

Wellington Gate field fire (Image: Simon)

The force reported that a group of young people were seen ‘acting in an anti-social manner’ on Byron Avenue, adjacent to the blaze off Armstrong Avenue, before the fire was reported.

Then, at about 10pm, a man riding a silver moped, a man riding a dark-coloured moped and a child were seen travelling from Byron Avenue to Armstrong Avenue, towards the area where the fire was later discovered.

Police believe the fire was started deliberately, in an arson attack (Image: Thames Valley Police)

A spokesperson for the force said: “Given the dry conditions and proximity to nearby homes, this incident had the potential to be far more serious.

“We are keen to identify the individuals on the mopeds and speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist our investigation.

“Local residents may recognise those involved, and we would also like to hear from any youths who were in the area and may have seen events leading up to the fire.

” Wildfires can spread rapidly, endanger lives, destroy habitats and pose a significant risk to nearby homes and businesses.

“We urge everyone to take these warnings seriously and help protect our community.”

The fire burnt in a 50 metre square patch (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference number 43260426186.

Simon, who lives in Wellington Gate, earlier said: “Two fire engines were quickly on the scene, but with the fire being on a field, fire crews had to carry their equipment 100 or 200 metres to where the fire was.

“I saw a police car entering the estate around 10.30pm, too.

“I’ve never seen so many people on the streets of the estate, checking it out for peace of mind to ensure it had been safely put out.

“But the fire brigade did a great job as always, they hooked onto a water point drain on the estate to put it out.

“I believe this isn’t the first time there have been people trying to start fires there.”