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Warning after four Medway fires

by Keyan Milanian

Firefighters in Medway have been forced to deal with four separate blazes, all of which are thought to have been started deliberately.

In one incident, around 50 square meres of undergrowth was alight in Broom Hill Park, Strood and fire crews were worried a mobile phone mast might be at risk.

Firefighters spent around 45 minutes dousing the flames after the call came at around 8.15pm Sunday.

A spokesman for Strood white watch said: "It was quite a large fire because the wind got behind it. Right on the top of the hill is the mobile phone antenna and that was under threat for a while."

In a second incident, a Vauxhall Corsa was driven onto a football field and set alight in Shorts Reach at the Esplanade at around 12.30am Sunday.

The blaze had spread to surrounding gorse bushes and firefighters were at the scene for 30 minutes.

In a third incident on Sunday at around 5am, rubbish was set on fire in a alleyway off White Road in Chatham.

Crews went to the scene after a member of the public had spotted the smoke.

A fourth blaze was reported at around 6.30am Monday.

It is thought children may have started a bonfire which got out of hand in Haven Street, Wainscott. A fire spokesman said there was evidence of a camp in the area.

Fire crews were on the scene for around an hour and a half.

In the wake of the blazes, firefighters have warned the public, especially children, of the dangers of fire during the dry summer season.

A spokesman for Strood's white watch said: "Everything is very dry at the moment. You must be sensible - if you light a fire and discard it, it can quickly spread.

There were no reports of injuries at any of the incidents.

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