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Wirral marshland fire: Boys arrested on suspicion of arson

Watch: Video shows fire spreading across Wirral marshland

Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large fire on marshland on the Wirral Peninsula.

Cheshire Fire Service sent six fire engines to the blaze at Neston after it started just before 18:30 GMT on Saturday.

Two boys aged 13 and one aged 14 were arrested earlier and are currently being questioned, Cheshire Police said.

The fire covered about 1 sq km (0.4 sq miles) around the marshland, a site of special scientific interest.

BBC/Jon Ironmonger BBC/Jon IronmongerBBC/Jon Ironmonger
Hundreds of residents and pubgoers came out to see the fire

One eyewitness said the fire took hold rapidly, creating a "wall of flames".

Fire breaks were put in place to protect nearby properties and the blaze was "mainly extinguished" by midnight, the fire service said.

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