Cheshire Police have launched an investigation after a disposable BBQ was found at the scene of a huge fire in Macclesfield Forest. The blaze broke out at around 16:10 on Tuesday, July 21, and triggered 61 emergency calls to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Evidence of disposable BBQ discovered
After the fire was brought under control, police surveyed the area and found evidence of recent disposable BBQ use, believed to be the cause. Officers are now appealing for information and video footage. The fire affected approximately 150 metres by 150 metres, causing significant damage to forestry and wildlife habitats.
The recent heatwave, tinder-dry ground conditions and challenging terrain created a real risk of the fire spreading further. However, swift deployment of a United Utilities-funded helicopter and efforts by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading beyond the northern section of the forest, between Clarke Lane, Charity Lane and Hacked Way Lane.
Operation Yearling launched
Officers from the Rural Crime Team attended alongside specialist fire investigators. Given the dry conditions, using a disposable BBQ was described as 'highly reckless'. In response, the Rural Crime Team launched Operation Yearling to identify those responsible.
Area Manager Matt Barlow, Head of Service Delivery at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This fire has had a significant impact on Macclesfield Forest and has required a substantial response from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and our partner agencies."
He added: "Firefighters have worked around the clock in difficult conditions, supported by Cheshire Police, United Utilities and other organisations, to help bring the incident under control and protect the surrounding area and local community. There had been repeated national and local warnings about the heightened danger of wildfires following an extended period of hot, dry weather, and the countryside was already extremely vulnerable."
Barlow continued: "Lighting a fire in those circumstances demonstrated a complete disregard for the very real risks and potential consequences. A discarded disposable barbecue has been identified as the most probable cause of this fire. The incident has resulted in emergency services being tied up for almost a week, extensive damage to the natural environment and prolonged disruption to the local community and visitors to the forest."
He concluded: "The outcome could have been far worse had emergency services and partner agencies not acted so quickly and effectively to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further. We would ask anyone who has information that could assist the police investigation to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help establish exactly what happened and ensure those responsible are held accountable."
