Investigation launched after three hedge fires in Fordingbridge

He said: “There have been a number of incidents involving garden hedgerows set alight in Fordingbridge over the last couple of weeks. If these deliberate fires escalate and spread to a house or garage, we could have a major fire.

“The demands placed upon the fire service in dealing with these kinds of needless incidents means additional resources may have to be brought into the local area to tackle other incidents nearby, which may be more serious, perhaps even life-threatening.

“We encourage all Fordingbridge residents to be aware and report any suspicious behaviours to the police immediately by calling 101 or 999. If a fire is discovered dial 999 without delay.”

On-call firefighters from Fordingbridge were called to a report of a hedge alight on Ashford Close shortly after 6am on October 11, which was put out using two hose reel jets. The crew was at the incident until 6.50am.

The following week, October 20, firefighters extinguished a hedge fire near to a house on Victoria Road, which was reported at 7.20am. The incident was dealt with shortly before 8am.

The latest incident happened just a week later on the morning of Thursday, October 27, at 6.34am, where a hedge on Victoria Gardens was found “well alight”. The fire was put out by a crew from the town.

A spokesperson for HIWFRS told the Journal: “Fire Investigation Officers and Hampshire Constabulary were informed of the incidents as they are believed to have been set deliberately.”

A statement from Hampshire Constabulary added: “We were called at 7.09am on Thursday, October 27 to a report that a hedge had been set alight at the junction of Victoria Gardens and Victoria Road.

“The circumstances of this incident are currently under investigation.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 44220436385.