Crews from Ross-on-Wye and Whitchurch joined crews from Malvern, Worcester, Upton on Severn, Droitwich and Ledbury to fight a fire which destroyed more than five acres of grassland on the Malvern Hills

Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service (HWFRS) has confirmed that a discarded disposable barbecue was the most likely cause of the fire around Earnslaw Quarry on the Malvern Hills which started yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

Two crews attended again from 5am today to continue dampening down areas around Beacon Road and the West of England car park. The public is urged to not set camp fires or to use barbecues in open spaces during this hot dry weather, which is set to continue.

The Malvern Hills’ Trust advises that barbecues are not permitted on the hills due to the risk they pose for potentially starting wildfires. Disposable barbecues are particularly problematic as they can be windblown, and, if placed directly on the ground, cause damage to the important grassland vegetation underneath. The Trust also asks visitors not to release or light any Chinese or sky lanterns.

In addition to the fire on the Malvern Hills, HWFRS responded to two other grass fires yesterday – a total of 20 grass fires in the last two weeks.