Arsonists set fire to hay in York fields near Grimston Bar roundabout (From York Press)

Arsonists set fire to hay in York fields near Grimston Bar roundabout

8:30am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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Updated: SUSPECTED arsonists who started two huge hay fires on the edge of York which sent ash drifting across the city are being hunted by police.

Officers were called to a field near Grimston Bar just after 3am yesterday when the alarm was raised by a farmer, who spotted the 450 bales of hay ablaze.

Three hours later, another 148 bales were destroyed in a barn at Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Firefighters worked through the morning to bring the flames under control. Residents in the east of the city, including those in Badger Hill, Osbaldwick, Tang Hall and Heworth, woke to find their cars and gardens sprinkled with ash from the fires, which are believed to have been started deliberately.

Police are now working with North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to establish the exact cause and any links with similar fires elsewhere in the area.

Detective Sergeant Lee Boyeson of York CID, said: “These are completely senseless acts which could result in devastating consequences.

“The offenders not only put members of the public at risk, but also put themselves in extreme danger, and this is not to mention the cost to the farmers and the emergency services.

“We urge anybody who saw any suspicious activity in any of the locations, or who has other information, to contact us.”

Joy Meadows, who lives in Osbaldwick, was among those who discovered the ash covering her car and garden furniture.

“I was really shocked and my first concern was whether it had done any damage to the furniture or the paintwork of the car, which is brand new,” she said.

“A lot of my neighbours saw the same thing and at first we were wondering what it was.

“It made a real mess, but if it’s just idiots and vandals starting these fires, what can you do?”

Police are also investigating whether the York fires are connected to a blaze in a field near Primrose Drive in Byram, near Selby, just after midnight on Wednesday, when two people were seen running away from the scene.

Three smaller fires were also reported in that area afterwards.

Anybody with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.