Nature reserve walkway fire believed to be accident

A blaze which left a nature reserve walkway "severely damaged and compromised" is believed to have been started accidentally, a fire service has said.

Dorchester Fire Station said an on-call crew attended the blaze at the Riverside Nature Reserve, next to the River Frome at about 02:55 BST on Sunday.

The fire stopped at 03:42, but fire crews remained at the scene until shortly before 05:00 to dampen down.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire is believed to have been started by a campfire or a barbecue.

The wetland reserve was created by the town council in 1974 and is an important habitat for wildlife, including fish, insects and birds.

The Natural England designated site is also home to willow, ash and poplar trees, and is managed by Friends of the Riverside Reserve.

The Dorchester fire crew was assisted in tackling the blaze on Sunday by a heavy off-road appliance from nearby Bridport Fire Station and a light 4x4 pump vehicle from Bere Regis.

The fire service said the fire involved approximately 60 metres of plastic boarding walkway.

Dorchester Fire Station said crews attended a blaze in Puddletown forest involving trees and a deep seated fire in the peat ground on the same day.

In a post on social media the fire station urged people to avoid having barbecues or campfires "due to the high risk of a fire starting and getting out of control in the recent dry weather".