Whitwick woods suffer significant damage after being 'deliberately' set on fire

It happened at Cademan woods at around 1:40 pm on Tuesday 30th March.

A Leicestershire police spokesperson said they believe the fire was started deliberately but currently have no lines of inquiry.

Fire crews from Coalville were also in attendance for over an hour to put out the flames. 

It has not yet been confirmed who started the fire. No arrests were made.

Nita Pearson, 68, who volunteers with environmental group 'Friends of Thringstone,' told Fosse107 she cannot understand why someone would set fire to the woods.

"I just don't understand why anybody would want to destroy things that are there for the benefit of everyone."

"There's wild flowers and various small animals which live in the woods. I can't get my head around why this has happened."

"It's a sad indictment on society."

Nita, who described herself as a keen litter-picker, also said that this is the third fire in the area in recent months.

"It's not the only fire in this area. About a month ago in Holly Hayes in Whitwick some storage containers were set alight."

"Then about three weeks ago in Grace Dieu woods in Thringstone, a park bench which had been there for the best part of 20 years was completely destroyed."

It is not known if these fires are connected.