Firefighters battle grass blaze

FIREFIGHTERS donned back pack-style extinguishers to put out flames at a Rotherham country park.

Fire tore through grassland and trees at Ulley Country Park in what a spokesman from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue referred to as a “deliberate blaze” broke out at around 3.30pm yesterday.

More than 250 square metres of parkland off Reservoir Road was scorched by flames before crews from Aston Park, Rotherham and Darnall fire stations were able to bring the situation under control.

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A spokesman for the fire service said: “The crews were there for more than four hours.

“Firefighters wore special back packs, filled with water, which allowed them to reach areas that couldn’t be reached by the hose reels.”

He added: “It has been recorded as a deliberate blaze.

“I understand that a group of youths were seen from afar and appeared to be lighting a fire.”