Detectives working with the fire service to investigate the cause of a forest fire near Wareham are appealing for anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
Dorset Police received a report from the fire service at 1.11pm on Monday 18 May 2020 in relation to a large forest fire in the area of Sugar Hill.
Officers attended to assist and put road closures in place.
The fire caused damage to around 150 hectares of forest and heathland and firefighters remain at the scene to continue to monitor the situation.
Road closures on the A35 have been lifted but the area will continue to be monitored throughout the day and closures remain in place on Bere Road and at Sugar Hill.
Detective Constable Richard Evans, of Weymouth CID, said: “At this time the cause of the fire remains unexplained and we are liaising with the fire service to establish the full circumstances.
“To our assist our enquiries, I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information as to how the fire started to contact us. I would also urge anyone who was driving in the area of Bere Road and Sugar Hill between around 8am and 1pm on Monday 18 May 2020 to check their dashcam for anything relevant.
“I would like to thank the fire service and all those involved in tackling this fire for their efforts to keep the local community safe over the last 24 hours.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200070290. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call freephone 0800 555 111.
