Hillside fire 'may be deliberate'

The grass fire at Pen Dinas was brought under control after three hours. Enlarge Image

A grass blaze on a hill in Aberystwyth may have been started deliberately, says a fire chief.

Firefighters tried for three hours to bring the flames under control on Pen Dinas two weeks ago.

Arwel James, of Mid and West Wales Fire Service in Aberystwyth, said he had suspicions that the blaze was started by young people.

About two acres (0.8 hectare) were affected on Pen Dinas, which overlooks the town and is also a nature reserve.

Mr James said: "We have suspicions that the fire was started by young people who were in the area at the time the fire started, and these details have been passed to the police.

Duke of Wellington

"There was no other evidence of how the fire started - there was no lightning on the day, for instance.

"The fire was also close to the central path that goes around Pen Dinas."

The fire was reported on 1 June at 2000 BST, but had been brought under control by 2300 BST.

Pen Dinas, also the site of an historic hill fort, is popular with both tourists and locals. It is also home to a monument to the Duke of Wellington.