SUSPECTED arsonists have caused devastating damage to flora and fauna after fire swept across the Eston Hills.

Five crews of firefighters were called to tackle the blaze which was started in several different places across the hills overlooking Middlesbrough.

The senseless arson attack came on the same day that Cleveland Fire Brigade launched an appeal calling parents to help tackle the problem during the Easter holidays.

Last year there was 101 deliberate fires – down from 256 the previous year – throughout the two week holiday period.

Firefighters spent two hours tackling the blaze and worked there until darkness descended but returned first thing on Thursday morning to ensure there was no pockets of smouldering hillside.

Phil Lancaster, the brigade’s director of community protection, reiterated the need for parents to check on their children’s whereabouts to clampdown on these reckless incidents.

“It is a big drain on our resources that is from something that is just a needless act,” he said. “We are calling on parents to be watchful where their young people have been and what they have been doing. The warning signs are quite obvious, they will come back dirty and will smell heavily of smoke.

“We are wanting the community to come forward with any information they have as we will be working with Cleveland Police to try and identify these fire-setters and prosecute them where necessary.

“People need to remember that while we are tackling these type of fires, officers are unable to carry out other important work such as attending road traffic collisions and performing home safety checks for residents.”

Cleveland Police has confirmed that officers have spoken to a number of young people in the area about the incident and investigations are continuing.

Craig Hornby, who has campaigned tirelessly to protect and promote the hills, was frustrated that the arson attacks had returned to blight the hills.

“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “I don’t know how anybody could do something so stupid and reckless. The conditions around this time of year are almost perfect for arsonists as the bracken is so dry but they really have no idea about the damage they are doing to the hills. It actually blows my mind that people do this every single year.

“I regularly go into schools to talk about the Hills and take some of the children up to explore the history and heritage of the area but more often than not we have to make our way passed burnt out cars or scorched bracken – it’s heartbreaking to see. Sadly, some young people don’t realise that they are the custodians of the Eston Hills for future generations.

“What we really need is wardens patrolling the area but there simply isn’t the money to do it.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the force on the non-emergency number of 101.