ARSONISTS have been blamed for grass fire that destroyed 10 hectares of countryside in Breconshire.

At least 15 firefighters spent nearly three hours tackling a blaze at Commins Coch Hill, near Beulah on Thursday night.

Crews from Llandrindod, Llanwrtyd and Builth Wells were called to tackle the grass fire near to Cribbarth Quarry at around 9.45pm.

Will Bowen, head of arson reduction at the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said there were four separate seats, or fires, that merged into one large blaze.

He said: "We’re confident they were set deliberately but we can’t say wether it was anti-social behaviour or burning outside of the burning season.

"You are not going to have four sets of mice with matches."

He warned deliberate fire setting is a crime and burning outside of the burn season can also carry additional financial penalties for landowners and managers.

Landowners wishing to burn outside of the burn season can apply to the Welsh Government for a licence, said Mr Bowen.

He said attending deliberately set grass fires is an additional drain on the service’s resources.

"Deliberately set grass fires are extremely unpredictable and can spiral out of control within minutes.

"Every time our firefighters are called out to a deliberately set grass or mountain fire, not only does it cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds, it negatively impacts on the environment, wildlife and carbon footprint and puts firefighters at a needless risk.

"It also means that firefighters could be diverted from attending a real emergency - someone trapped in a house fire or a crashed car, where there is a potential life risk.

"I would like to remind landowners that the burn season has now ended and will not reopen until the beginning of October. Burning outside of the burn season can result in prosecution and a fine from the Welsh Government and landowners also risk a financial penalty for a breach of the single payment scheme.

"If landowners wish to burn outside of the burn season they must apply to the Welsh Government for a licence."

The Mid and West Wales Fire Service said it is working with partner agencies to reduce the number of large grass and gorse fires through education and prevention programmes, including school visits and offering advice to parents.

"It is the policy of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to work with partner organisations to vigorously pursue the prosecution of anyone involved in deliberate fire-setting," warned Mr Bowen.