Girls aged 12, 13 and 14 spoken to by police after fire in Stokes Bay, Gosport

Three girls have been spoken to police after a wildfire which ripped through scrubland in Gosport.

The blaze was one of two reported on August 25, and saw a large area of land scorched near Fort Gilkicker in Crescent Road. The area was plagued by fires over the summer, with about three being reported each week.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said that it believed the fire to be deliberate, and so the details were passed to police.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said: “The fire was treated as an arson. Following information provided to police, officers spoke with three girls about the incident – aged 12, 13 and 14 respectively.

“On the basis of all evidence available at this time, no further action is being taken against the girls and the incident has been filed pending further information coming to light.”

The fire service has said that in the area of Fort Road and Crescent Road, near Gilkicker, saw 15 outdoor fires reported from July 23 - the beginning of the school holidays to August 26.

Three fire engines and a water carrier were sent to the August 25 incident.

At the time the fire service said firefighters had been called at 1.30pm and left at 8pm, adding: “Fire engines, off-road vehicles and water carriers were called to the scene which was well alight when crews arrived. Heavy smoke was emanating from the fire, so nearby roads were closed and residents advised to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed.

“The fire involving gorse, trees and grassland was tackled using hose reels, jets and beaters. Once the fire was surrounded, relief crews who arrived to take over from the firefighters first on the scene, worked to dampen down the affected area.

“This summer our prevention teams have been patrolling certain arson hotspots, including this one in Gosport, and police have been notified as it is believed this fire was set deliberately.”