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A man has been arrested by police investigating a “significant” wildfire that triggered a major incident in Northern Ireland.

More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire appliances were deployed on Saturday to Sandbank Road, Hilltown, to tackle the blaze which is believed to have been caused deliberately, fire chiefs said.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the fire had a front of approximately two miles “including a large area of forestry close to property”.

It was extinguished at 2.53am on Sunday and the major incident status lifted, the NIFRS said.

“The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate,” chief fire and rescue officer Aidan Jennings said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Sunday that a 25-year-old man had been arrested “on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences”.

“He remains in custody at this time as enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the fire,” the force added.

A wildfire broke out in Northern Ireland. Pic: Sky Watch NI
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The wildfire on Sandbank Road, Hilltown. Pic: Sky Watch NI

A wildfire broke out in Northern Ireland. Pic: Sky Watch NI
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More than 100 firefighters were at the scene of the fire. Pic: Sky Watch NI

Various fires erupted across England this week amid uncharacteristically warm and dry conditions for the time of year.

On Saturday, helicopters were deployed to tackle Scotland’s fourth wildfire this week, with police saying a blaze “which started in the Newton Stewart area has spread northwards and is expected to reach the Loch Doon area of East Ayrshire around 12am on Sunday”.

Police Scotland added: “As a precautionary measure members of the public are asked to avoid the Loch Doon area and anyone who may be camping in the area is advised to leave.”

Dorset wildfires
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Moors Valley Country Park blackened by fires this week

Elsewhere in England, Devon and Cornwall Police said they were assisting the fire service with temporary road closures on the A30 in the Bolventor area as they tackle “a number of fires” on moorland.

In Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park was forced to close after multiple wildfires broke out there on Wednesday.

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Wildfires spread across nature reserve

Separate incidents were then reported at Upton Heath in Poole on Wednesday, and nearby Canford Heath in the early hours of Thursday.

Friday was officially the warmest day of the year so far – with temperatures in the south of England reaching 23C (73.4F) – the highest since 21 September last year, according to the Met Office.

The weather conditions triggered a “severe” wildfire rating for parts of the UK on Tuesday.

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Two-phase public inquiry into Southport murders formally launched

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Two-phase public inquiry into Southport murders formally launched

A two-phase statutory public inquiry into the Southport murders has been formally launched.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the first phase would look at the circumstances around Axel Rudakubana’s attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last summer.

It will focus on issues around policing, the criminal justice system and the multiple agencies involved with the attacker who killed three girls – seven-year-old Elsie Stancombe, six-year-old Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.

It follows the revelation Rudakubana had been referred to the government’s Prevent scheme on three occasions, with the cases being closed each time.

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Police officer in van that followed teens before Cardiff e-bike crash won’t face charges

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Police officer in van that followed teens before Cardiff e-bike crash won't face charges

A police officer who was driving a van that followed two teenagers shortly before they died in an e-bike crash will not be prosecuted.

The deaths of Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, sparked riots in the Ely area of Cardiff in May 2023.

The officer was facing a dangerous driving allegation but prosecutors decided there was not enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statement said: “We fully understand that this will be disappointing news for the families of both boys and will offer a meeting with them to explain our reasoning further.”

Rumours on social media that the teenagers were being pursued by police were initially denied.

South Wales Police said none of its vehicles were in Snowden Road at the time of the crash.

But police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) later confirmed it was investigating after video appeared to show them being followed by a van – without blue lights or a siren – minutes before the incident.

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Other footage, however, showed the van turn off and it wasn’t following the boys at the time of the collision.

A key factor under consideration was whether there was any point at which the actions of the officers in the van “constituted a pursuit”.

CCTV show police van following bike moments before Ely crash
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CCTV showed a police van following the bike moments before it crashed

Read more:
Timeline of events before fatal Cardiff crash

The driver and passenger of the marked police van were previously issued with gross misconduct notices.

A second investigation was also opened by the IOPC into issues including police management of the crash scene and treatment of the families.

The scene in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called "large-scale disorder", with at least two cars torched as trouble involving scores of youths flared for hours. Picture date: Tuesday May 23, 2023.
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Riots broke out in the Ely area after the boys’ death. Pic: PA

Council workers secure the area immediately around a car that was set alight in Ely, Cardiff, following the riot that broke out after two teenagers died in a crash. Tensions reached breaking point after officers were called to the collision, in Snowden Road, Ely, at about 6pm on Monday. Officers faced what they called "large-scale disorder", with at least two cars torched as trouble involving scores of youths flared for hours. Picture date: Tuesday May 23, 2023.
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Pic: PA

A riot of several hours broke out after the boys’ deaths, with cars set alight and fireworks and other missiles thrown at police.

Eleven officers needed hospital treatment and 31 people were eventually charged.

The decision not to charge the police officer driving the van can be challenged under the victims’ right of review scheme.

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Keiron Charles: Teenagers charged with murder after boy, 17, stabbed to death

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Keiron Charles: Teenagers charged with murder after boy, 17, stabbed to death

Two teenagers have been charged with murder after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in west London on Saturday, police have said.

The suspects have not been named because they are both 16, the Metropolitan Police said.

Keiron Charles, 17, from East Acton, died in Erconwald Street, Shepherd’s Bush, after police were called at 1.10pm on Saturday.

Met officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended the scene near the junction with Du Cane Road and Old Oak Common Lane.

Paramedics tried to save the teenager, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who is leading the investigation, called it “an awful incident in which a teenager has lost his life”.

“The thoughts of everyone in the Met remain with Keiron’s family and loved ones as they begin to come to terms with their tragic loss,” the officer added.

The suspects are due to appear at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday.

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