Fire in Knighton suspected to have been a deliberate arson

West Mercia Police have said that the fire last Wednesday (June 12) on Panpunton Hill, just outside Knighton is likely to have been arson.

The fire was lit in five different spots and now a member of the local Safer Neighbourhood Team has confirmed that the incident is suspected to be an arson attack.

It also bears a striking resemblance to a similar fire that was set last year.

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A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Five small fires are believed to have been caused deliberately in the woodland in Lower Panpwnton, Knighton.

“The fire occurred around 12:45 on June 12. It was very similar to fires set in the same location in June 2023.”

Smoke was seen rising from several points in the woodland on the hill, just outside Knighton, early in the afternoon.

Fire crews from Knighton and Presteigne responded, as well as one from Clun.

“At 12.56pm on Wednesday, June 12, fire control received a call reporting a fire classified as ‘fire in open’ in Knighton,” said a spokesperson for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

“Three fire appliances including the Pinzgauer were mobilised from Clun. An Operations officer was in attendance

“Crews used beaters and knapsacks to tackle the fire.

“The fire has involved five separate seats of fire on a hillside which has now been extinguished by fire crews. A fire service drone was deployed to check the area for any further fire spread.”