FIREFIGHTERS are warning on the dangers of crop fires following a blaze at a farm in Daresbury on Saturday afternoon.

Two appliances from Runcorn fire station were called to Poplars Farm on Redbrow Lane just after 4pm after pranksters set fire to a cornfield.

When emergency crews arrived the field was well alight and nine firefighters used beating equipment to tackle the flames.

It is estimated that the fire destroyed 20,000 square metres of crop.

Leading firefighter Ken Sharratt from Runcorn's red watch said: "There was no obvious scene of ignition but it was reported that children had been seen playing around in the area prior to the fire starting.

"We would like to stress that corn fires are very dangerous. If the wind changes direction then it is easy to become engulfed in flames.

"In this instance lives were put at risk, and added to that is the damage that the fire caused to the farmers crops and his livelihood. People need to be aware of the damage fires like this cause."

LFF Sharratt confirmed that the blaze had been started maliciously.

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