CREDITON firefighters joined efforts to put out a heathland blaze on West Anstey Common on Monday, March 10.

It was one of three fires in quick succession in the area, which are thought to have been started deliberately.

The first began at around 8.10pm on Sunday, March 9, and the second and third at around 12.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday, March 10.

Police are investigating and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Sergeant Robert Brown of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are appealing to anyone who has any information or any dashcam footage from the area around those times that may assist the investigation.

“Members of the public may see a heightened police presence in the area as our enquiries continue.”

Crediton crewmembers were called out to fight the second blaze at 12.30pm. They were one of as many as nine fire stations mobilised to tackle the fire, which spread to a front of grass and gorse measuring 300 metres.

The incident was split into three sectors. Firefighters used three hose reel jets, beaters and scotty pumps to extinguish the blaze, and a drone to monitor their progress. Six fire engines and a water bowser attended the incident.

The second fire was out by 4.45pm. It damaged an area of around 80 acres, the fire service said.

The nine fire stations involved were Barnstaple, Lynton, South Molton, Bampton, Crediton, Tiverton, Middlemoor, Dulverton and Wiveliscombe.

The Dulverton, Bampton, South Molton and Barnstaple stations were also mobilised to fight the first fire on Sunday, March 9.

If you have any information or dashcam footage that could help investigating officers, you can contact Devon and Cornwall Police online through the force’s website or by telephoning 101 quoting log number 697 of March 10.

West Anstey is located on the southern edge of Exmoor.