POLICE are investigating reports that a grass fire at Runcorn Rowing Club was started deliberately by a group of youths.

Emergency services were called at around 8pm on June 3 to the club on Cholomondley Road.

Crews found a fire covering approximately 100 square metres of grass and trees on a river embankment.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed: “Two hose reel jets were used to extinguish the blaze, which took around 30 minutes to put out.

“Police are investigating reports that the fire was started deliberately by a group of young people.

“Anyone with information should call 101.”

Later that night, at 9.30pm, firefighters attended Chester Road in Daresbury to extinguish two separate, but nearby, fire affecting undergrowth.

These are also suspected to have been set on purpose and anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police.

In the early hours of June 4, a further grassfire was reported in The Underway, just before 5.50am.

A spokesperson explained: “A significant grassfire covering an area of approximately 75 square metres is believed to have been started deliberately by a group of young people seen in the area.

“Firefighters used a hose reel water jet to put the fire out and passed information from an eyewitness to police to investigate.

“Anyone with information should call 101.”