A 12-year-old boy has been identified by police after being seen starting four fires in dry grass at Primrose Valley Park in Leeds, just metres from homes.
Scott Townend told The Sun he was walking when he saw the young boy and his friends crouching down and doing something. 'As I got closer, it was clear the lad was starting fires in the dry grass.'
Fire spread quickly
Scott called emergency services as the boys sat down and started yet another fire, which quickly spread. 'At this point, I managed to take a photograph of him while he was doing it. Within around 20 seconds, the fire had spread considerably and had become a large fire,' he said.
West Yorkshire Police have since found the 12-year-old boy and his family, and said inquiries are ongoing into the crime of arson.
Dry conditions fuel fires
The incident comes after heatwaves since June turned fields of grass from healthy green into a pale straw colour across the UK. May and June saw heat records smashed, while two heatwaves in July meant Brits got little respite from the hot weather.
Temperatures remained high at the start of August before dropping this week, but forecasters have warned we could be set for yet another 'very warm or hot' spell before the summer is over. While experts have said it is 'too early' to confirm whether a fifth heatwave is on the cards, 'temperatures are likely to be higher than average' in many parts of the country.
Dry conditions have also caused drought across the country. Last month was the driest July in England and Wales since records began, causing wildfires nationwide.
