Blaze near football ground started 'deliberately'

A fire is thought to have been deliberately started close to the Northampton Town Football Club's ground and a town's rubbish tip.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said four crews were called to Walter Tull Way, at Sixfields, at about 21:45 BST on Sunday.

The large fire spread to about 50 sqm (538 ft) of hedgerow, bushes, and fly-tipped waste, a spokesperson said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was close to the League Two club's ground and Sixfields Household Waste Recycling Centre, and left the scene at about 00:45.

"Firefighters returned later this morning to carry out an after-fire inspection," the spokesperson added.

"Using thermal imaging cameras, crews checked for hotspots, which were then dampened down using a hose reel jet and drag forks.

"The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate," they said.

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