A MASSIVE blaze which devastated a square mile of Exmoor last Saturday evening (March 26) is now being investigated by police after claims that it could have been started deliberately.

Firefighters from 11 stations worked throughout the night to tackle the fire on Exmoor National Park moorland at Hawkridge. The incident is now in the hands of the police and the National Police Air Service.

A crew from Dulverton fire station arrived at the common just before midnight and attempted to extinguish two separate fires with beaters and hose reel jets.

Residents living nearby were advised to keep doors and windows shut as dense smoke billowed across the area.

A Devon and Somerset Fire Service spokesman said: “Due to the seriousness of the fires, they requested further fire engines, a water bowser, a 4X4 and an all-terrain vehicle.

“By 3am, the crews were tackling a fire front of burning gorse 800 metres in length and two metres high and additional vehicles were requested.

“A three pump relief team was sent to assist at 5am and an hour later crews were still working to extinguish a mile-square area of moorland and a drone team was sent to help.

“The fire was finally dealt with the following morning and the last crews stood down.”

Attending fire stations were Dulverton, Bampton, South Molton, Porlock, Barnstaple, Lynton, Wellington, Appledore, Witheridge, Middlemoor, and an Urban Search and Rescue team.

A statement from Bampton fire station said crews had reported that the fire was not an accident but was intentionally started.

“The fires appear to have been started deliberately according to witness statements - therefore the police and the National Police Air Service attended to investigate.

“A police helicopter was also able to relay images/video of the incident area from above to the fire incident commanders.”

Anyone who might have information useful to those investigating is being urged to contact the police by calling 101.