Animals killed in fire in Wigmore Park Tadley

Firefighters have warned people not to start wildfires after a bird's nest full of chicks was found in the aftermath of a blaze in Tadley.

Crews from Tadley Fire Station were called to the gorseland fire in Wigmore Park yesterday afternoon.

Around one hectare of land was on fire when they arrived and crews had to use three hose reels to tackle the fire.

Wigmore Park forms part of the Wigmore Heath nature reserve in Baughurst.

The heathland is managed for nature conservation and is important for heather and a variety of wildlife, including lizards and different species of bird.

Firefighters said they were saddened to find a bird's nest full of chicks that had been caught in the blaze.

Commenting on Twitter they said: "Carelessness and deliberate acts that result in wildfires can be devasting to the local wildlife. We regularly find snakes, slow worms & even a bee hive that have been unable to escape the flames. Yesterday, while damping down, the crew were saddened to find a bird's nest full of chicks.

"Please take care to avoid setting wildfires."

Hampshire Constabulary said that a group of people had been stopped before searching the area.