Firefighters tackled a large wildfire in Swansea on Sunday night, with crews still at the scene on Monday. The blaze broke out in the Mayhill area of the city at 7.15pm, prompting Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to send two crews.
Flames and thick smoke were clearly visible from a considerable distance. A local resident said the fire could be seen from Altitude28 Restaurant in Swansea's Maritime Quarter.
Two hectares of land affected
The fire spread across two hectares of land "as a result of a series of deliberately set fires" in the area, the fire service said. Crews remained on site on Monday re-inspecting the area, with a warning issued that arson is "a serious criminal offence."
A statement from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service read: "Since 7.15pm on Sunday, August 23, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Swansea Central and Morriston Fire Stations have responded to a wildfire at Mayhill in Swansea."
"The fire has affected approximately two hectares of land and crews have utilised hose reel jets, beaters and knapsacks to contain and extinguish the fire. Crews have continued to reinspect the area into this morning (Monday, August 24)."
Warning over deliberate fire-setting
"The fire comes as a result of a series of deliberately set fires in the area. Arson and deliberate fire-setting is a serious criminal offence, which can put lives in danger and cause significant damage to property and the environment."
"Incidents following arson-related activities can put immense pressure on the resources of fire and rescue services and other emergency services, as well as divert resources from other emergencies, potentially delaying response times for genuine accidents elsewhere."
Over the weekend, members of the public reported fires in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd and the Bannau Brycheiniog national park. Further fires were reported on the moors between Ebbw Vale and Crickhowell, where footage showed thick smoke rising high above the area.
In rural Pembrokeshire, footage and images showed large plumes of smoke rising above the landscape. A field fire was also reported approximately 1.2 kilometres north of Mathry, with smoke billowing across the surrounding rural land. Firefighters also responded to a major hill fire on Rhiw Mountain on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd.
