Temperatures ignite bush fires

The main cause of the fires was carelessly discarded cigarettes

Sweltering temperatures have caused up to 25 bush fires in Oxfordshire's fields and verges over the last 72 hours.

Oxfordshire Fire Service said the main ignition for the fires were carelessly discarded cigarettes.

No one was injured in the fires.

A spokesman for the service, Simon Belcher, said they were now urging people to be more careful.

He said: "The heat that these guys have to go through because of the kit they have to wear - it's just really phenomenally difficult to do this.

"I would urge the public to take care when they are getting rid of cigarettes, and when they are getting rid of matches or anything like that, not to throw them on grass.

"If you do that, you cause fires like this, and it puts us under incredible strain."

Places affected by the fires include Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, Carterton, Bodicote, Eynsham, Uffington, Goring, Shipton-under-Wychwood and Chipping Norton.