Vicar appeals for information about blaze in Ordsall churchyard
A fire in the churchyard of All Hallows Church, Ordsall, caused limited damage but could have been much worse had it not been for the swift arrival of the fire service.
The blaze took place yesterday evening and the cause is not known, although in his social media post, the Rev. Alex Shiells said that as the affected area was close to the pathway, a discarded cigarette butt may have been the cause.
He said the fire highlighted the dangers that exist at present due to the heat and everywhere being so dry.
The vicar added: 'Thank you to the fire brigade. The fire covered quite an area, and was just a couple of hundred metres from the church.
'If anyone knows anything about this incident please let us know, although we have no reason to think it was done maliciously.'
People passing through the area are asked to take special care not to drop any cigarette butts.
Local dog walkers said via social media that they see people smoking weed regularly in the churchyard.
Other posts on social media thanked firefighters for their help and prompt action.
Michael Szarelis, who has spent hours researching and working on war graves in the church yard added his gratitude to the fire service for limiting the damage caused.
Further comments included:
'Well done to the Retford Fire Brigade for taking control of this. As one of the volunteers who help keep this grave yard maintained I can only say it is very surprising that this could have been caused without intervention'. Bob Cooley
'Could have been a flicked cigarette or refraction from glass or water in a plastic discarded bottle?' Cat Bell
'Third one that I know of. A back alley in Ordsall was charred this morning and also part of the coal drops'. Michael Costall.
A spokesperson from Nottinghamshire Fire Service said: “Firefighters from Blidworth attended a fire at All Hallows Church yesterday (29 July) following a call at 4.17pm.
"This was a fire in the open where approximately 50m x 50m of grass and undergrowth were well alight. This was extinguished quickly. The cause is unknown.
Fire services are dealing with an increased number of fires across the county, some of which are known to have been started deliberately.