Firefighters have put out a deliberately-started wildfire in Park Hall Country Park, Stoke-on-Trent, after responding to multiple blazes at the same location on Tuesday afternoon.
Response and scale
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews were mobilised at 12.15pm on 21 July following reports of a fire on Hulme Road. A total of five appliances attended and found several fires burning. The service estimated the largest area affected measured approximately 100 metres by 100 metres.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Park Hall Country Park, Hulme Road, Stoke-on-Trent |
| Time called | 12.15pm, 21 July 2026 |
| Appliances | 5 |
| Largest area of fire | Approx. 100m x 100m |
How the blaze was tackled
Crews brought the incidents under control using a combination of hose reel jets, specialist wildfire hoses, beaters and support from park rangers. Station Manager Ant Ball attended the scene and confirmed investigators judged the fires to have been started deliberately.
“These fires were deemed to have been caused deliberately. We are experiencing high demand across Staffordshire at the moment and deliberate fires significantly strain our resources,”
He added appeals to the public to take care in the countryside, urging people to avoid barbecues and bonfires during the dry spell, to dispose of litter responsibly and not to drop cigarettes.
Local impact and advice
Deliberate open‑space fires can spread quickly in dry weather and divert emergency crews from other incidents across the county. The service’s statement highlights that deliberate blazes increase pressure on already busy resources during the summer months.
- Report any sightings of fire or suspicious behaviour to the emergency services immediately.
- Do not light barbecues or bonfires in dry, public open spaces.
- Dispose of cigarettes and litter in bins — do not drop them on the ground.
Anyone with information about the incident at Park Hall Country Park should contact the local police or Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. The force has not released details of any arrests.
The service concluded with a plea to help protect open spaces during the summer season: “Please help us to keep Staffordshire safe this summer.”
