PARENTS have been urged to educate their children about the dangers of starting fires after firefighters spent three hours tackling a huge blaze at a protected country park at the weekend.

A large plume of smoke could be seen for miles around at the height of the fire at Waldridge Fell, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday – believed to have been started by youths.

Extensive damage was caused to the Site of Special Scientific Interest - one of the largest areas of lowland heath in County Durham containing the only lowland valley-mire in the region.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service had four appliances at the scene along with a Tactical Response Vehicle. 

The aftermath Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT

The aftermath Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT

Watch Manager John Scott said: "Crews were called out shortly after 11am on Saturday to a substantial fire on Waldridge Fell. The location of the fire was very difficult because we have no access to water down at that point.

"To get to the fire we had to run about about 35 lengths of hose, obviously taking up a considerable part of our resources.

"We believe the fire was started by youths. A couple of members of the public reported seeing youths starting the fire.

"We would reiterate to parents to keep an eye on what their children are doing."

The aftermath of the fire. It is not suggested the youths pictured were involved. Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT

The aftermath of the fire. It is not suggested the youths pictured were involved. Picture: GAVIN ENGELBRECHT

Durham county councillor Paul Sexton said: "The the pandemic and recent fires at Waldridge Fell have highlighted how lucky we are to have that area and how much it has been used by people for their well being and mental health over the last 12 months.

"It has been a life saver and we need to protect it.

"Parents need to know where their children are going and what they are doing, but also need to educate them. Waldridge Fell is a beautiful space for everybody and is a SSSI and should be preserved.

"Young people need to embrace the area and have fun in it, but don't set it alight. It causes so much damage."

He added: "Four appliances were deployed on Saturday. Those were resources which could have been used in a real life-threatening emergency.

"I thing there are youngsters who seem to get entertainment out of setting it alight and watching the fire brigade come. But that is an SSSI and there are very few of them. I don't think people appreciate that we have wildlife and flowers there that that are scarce to rare elsewhere in the county."

Cllr Sexton said he was going to meet with fire chiefs on Monday to start a process of engagement with young people, which will include the police and parish council.

Firefighters at Waldridge Fell at the weekend

Firefighters at Waldridge Fell at the weekend