Five Telford roadside fires all thought to be arson
Fire services in Shropshire are calling for people to be vigilant after they were called out to four grass fires along the same stretch of road in just one day.
In the past 24 hours, fire crews were called to five fires along the A442, which they believe to be deliberate and are asking residents to be vigilant if they see anyone acting suspiciously.
The first fire was reported just before 11.30am in Stockton near Newport where 100 square metres of grass was ablaze, fires were later reported in Oldington involving 150sqm, Rindleford involving 250sqm before the final call out to a fire of 40 square metres of grass on Brockton Way in Madeley.
Derek Taylor, from the safety in the community team, said: "These are all deliberate.
"From our point of view, dealing with these incidents is labour intensive and time consuming.
"While we are dealing with these fires we can't get to anything which may be more urgent.
"There is also the impact on traffic, with road closures while we deal with the fires and the environmental impact.
"We would like to ask people to be more alert, if they see anybody doing something suspicious by the roadside, they should contact the police."
Crews were also called out twice to Oakengates on Wednesday, which are believed to have been set deliberately, and five times to areas around Clee Hill.
Mr Taylor said: "Again, we want residents to be vigilant."
Anyone who does see anything suspicious should call 101.
