Disposable barbecue blamed for blaze at Sherbrook ValleyAuthor: Adam SmithPublished 8 hours agoA devastating wildfire, ignited by a disposable barbecue, has scorched a significant area of heathland in Cannock Chase, causing severe harm to the environment and local wildlife.The blaze, which erupted at 6pm on Thursday, 30th July at Sherbrook Valley, destroyed an area comparable to a football pitch, leaving a tragic impact on the site’s ecosystem. Sherbrook Valley is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), making the loss of habitat even more profound. Many animals perished in the fire, including reptiles like adders and amphibians such as toads, marking a significant setback in conservation efforts. Rich Williams, Group Manager at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, attributed the fire to a discarded disposable barbecue and emphasised the importance of adhering to the ban: “We believe this fire was caused by a disposable barbeque, which are banned on Cannock Chase due to the dangers they pose. It is absolutely crucial that people adhere to this ban, as incidents like this place significant demand on resources during an already very busy period.” Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, expressed her distress at the loss: “I was particularly sad to learn that animals lost their lives in the blaze, and a large amount of rare heathland habitat was lost. The fire service was fortunately able to bring the fire under control but we may not be so lucky next time.” Residents are urged to take precautions following the declaration of a drought in the region by the Environment Agency. Preventative measures include avoiding lighting open flames and using barbecues in country parks, and properly disposing of litter, especially glass, which can start fires when exposed to sunlight. Chase Road was temporarily closed as a precaution to mitigate the risk of the fire reigniting from smouldering areas. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.
Animals killed as Cannock Chase wildfire devastates heathland
