A HUGE fire on Dartmoor which took almost 24 hours to tackle is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.

Fire crews were called to the blaze just south of Princetown at around 6pm on Monday (April 22). The dry moorland and fanning winds caused the fire to quickly spread, covering Nakers Hill, Crane Hill, Plym Ford, Ducks Pool, Broad Rock, Great Nats Head, Fox Tor and towards Skir Girt.

More than 40 firefighters, Dartmoor Rangers, Dartmoor Commoners, local farmers and volunteers were on the ground with beaters attempting to control the blaze.

The remote moorland area and difficult terrain meant that traditional fire engines were unable to gain access so 4x4 vehicles and specialist moorland fire fighting equipment were used to control the wildfire.

A police helicopter assisted the fire service in assessing the fire spread from the air, reporting multiple fire fronts.

Just after 4.30pm on Tuesday, crews and helpers were able to be stood down as the fire was believed to be out.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘A large area of Dartmoor National Park was involved in a fire. Multiple fire fronts combined causing substantial damage to 14 square kilometres of moorland.

‘A large number of crews, commoners and Dartmoor Rangers were involved in firefighting operations. Dartmoor Rescue and police also assisted with locating resources.

‘Multiple beaters and misting units were in use for environmental protection and to prevent incident escalation.’

Community and landscape manager ranger for Dartmoor National Park Rob Steemson was involved in the efforts. He told the Times: ‘The first shout was on Monday night at 6pm. The fire service and some commoners were deployed and fought the fire until 10pm when they were stood down due to health and safety and diminishing light.

‘At 6am the following day the fire service had information from the police helicopter to say that the fire had smouldered up over five different areas overnight.

‘The fire was swirling around all day. With the wind as it was, it was what I would call a quick flash over fire so I don’t think it has burned too far down into the peat, just burned the vegetation on top.

‘The vegetation should recover but it may mean some damage to young nests that have been made in the growth. Until we come back and assess, we won’t know the full extent of the damage.

‘When there is a fire shout on Dartmoor there is a fire plan in place that we follow.

‘It was a partnership approach with all involved as it always is when there is a fire on Dartmoor.’

Police are now appealing for information about how the fire may have started.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told the Times: ‘Local officers attended the incident as the fire service believed that the fire was suspicious — we will be treating this as arson.

‘Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area overnight and into the early hours of the morning is urged to contact police via [email protected].

Alternatively you can phone on 101, quoting log 54 of April 23.’