Bingley Rural Councillor Geoff Winnard called upon local residents to report any information they have to the Police after a significant fire in Cottingley Woods Woods on 8 April.
The scale of the fire required West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to deploy 5 pumps to suppress the fire which affected an area of approximately 100 sq metres in size.
Councillor Winnard said,
‘It is shocking that such a significant fire broke out on this woodland areas. We don’t yet know whether the fire was an accident or whether it was started deliberately.
Local residents have suggested that some young people had been seen recently lighting small camp fires in the woods - but we will have to await the Police investigation, I understand that this is the 4th time that the Fire services have been called out to Cottingley Woods in recent weeks.
I would ask any residents to report any suspicious activities they see in these woods to the Police. In times of very dry weather, woodland areas are vulnerable to catching fire and extra vigilance is needed. Lightning small fires or not extinguishing cigarettes can have dangerous consequences.
I have asked the local Police to increase their patrols in this area.