Arson fears over mountain blaze

The scene near Moel Lys on Wednesday night Enlarge Image

A mountain fire which affected 20 acres of gorse is believed to have been started deliberately.

Five North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews tackled the blaze on Moel Llys, Dwygyfylchi, Conwy, that could be seen from the A55 on Wednesday night.

Firefighters, helped by teams in four-wheel drive vehicles, tackled the blaze for six hours.

There had been fears the fire could have posed a threat to properties because of high winds.

The fire service confirmed there were no injuries or evacuations.

Firefighters from Llanfairfechan, Conwy, Llandudno, Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog were called to the gorse fire at 1800 GMT on Wednesday.

Terry Williams, county safety manager for Gwynedd, said fires started deliberately put at risk whoever was responsible, members of the public who attempt to extinguish it, and firefighters.

Some residents feared that the wind would change and that their houses would be engulfed Joel Cockrill, resident

He said: "The spread of this fire also shows that fire can move very quickly and be very destructive."

They were also a drain on resources, he said, as crews called out to incidents like house fires and road collisions are not diverted from deliberate fires but the next available crew has to be sent.

"This may involve a time delay which could prove fatal," he said.

He appealed to parents to ensure their children are aware of how serious such fires were.

Local resident Joel Cockrill said roads in the nearby village of Capelulo were sealed off with fire fighting equipment as crews attempted to control the blaze.

"Some residents feared that the wind would change and that their houses would be engulfed," he added.

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Your comments below:

We would like to thank all the Fire Service that helped with the situation last night. To the group of really nice Firemen who marched up Fairy Glen Road and then to the fire to do their jobs in the cold and wind - you definately deserve their pay. Everyone was extremely nice and friendly. Not an experience we want to go through again though.

Rosie and PBJ, Capelulo, Dwygyfylchi

Its terrible that this has happened but good to know that the 4x4 response was used to help in the effort to control the blaze.

This is a very tranquil piece of Welsh countryside. Well done to all the services involved.
Stephen Byrne, Kirkby Merseyside