Roaches fire deemed deliberate

Following the fire near to the Roaches on Tuesday Staffordshire fire and rescue service have deemed the fore deliberate and that the fore was started from the road side.

Fire fighters tackled the blaze near which was 30metres by 50 metres and near to the winking man on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and rescue service said

“Fire fighters were called at about 1.08pm on Tuesday (20 July) to an area close to the Winking Man on Buxton Road, Ramshaw, near the Roaches, following reports of a fire.

Two crews from Leek, along with one from Hanley, Longton, and the water carrier from Cheadle attended.

A revisit took place at 8.44pm on Tuesday (20 July) where two hot spots were found and extinguished.

A further reinspection took place at 9am on Wednesday (21 July).

No further action was needed from the fire service.

The cause of the fire was deemed deliberate due to crews finding several pockets of fire in close proximity to each other.

It is believed the fires were started from the roadside.

Officers from Staffordshire Police are investigating.”

Staffordshire police also attended the blaze a spokesperson said

“Police were called at 2.29pm on Tuesday (20 July) to the road to the right of The Winking Man pub on Buxton Road in Ramshaw following reports of a number of fires.

Officers attended along with fire fighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Police were on hand to assist with possible traffic management.

Patrols have increased in the local area in order to provide reassurance to the community.

Inquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information should contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101, quoting incident number 416 of July.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”