"Mindless" vandals and bored youngsters are setting north west Kent alight, forcing firefighters to beg them to stop committing arson.

Kent Police and fire crews are working together to investigate the source of dozens of grass and shrub land fires this summer.

Shortly after 3pm on Sunday afternoon (Aug 9) firefighters battled a blaze the size of three acres on Dartford Heath, while temperatures sizzled to highs of 28 °C.

Meanwhile, just two days earlier, a five-acre area the size of three football pitches was alight on the Heath at 2.30pm.

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Friday's fire. Picture: Hayler Booker

Back in June, fire crews were called to six blazes thought to be started by youths in one night, also on Dartford Heath.

David Stock, who lives in Denver Road, witnessed Sunday's blaze.

He told News Shopper: "I noticed the house started to smell of smoke, and I could see smoke rising but did not want to get close.

"I had to rush upstairs to shut the window as there seemed to be a lot of ash."

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Firefighters dampening down on Dartford Heath, on July 17. Picture: KFRS

Mr Stock said it was a big fire, adding: "I have lived here since I was four-years-old, so heath fires are unfortunately regular part of the summer - some worse than others.

"It's a shame the fire service have to risk their lives to put it out."

Last week, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) revealed they have put out 45 fires, some of which were suspicious, in Swanscombe alone since April 5.

Dartford crew manager Richard Emery said: "Please help us put a stop to this mindless crime.

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Mr Emery

"It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

"It’s a blight on the community and we are all paying the cost as tax payers.

"Please think about the consequences - fire moves very fast, quicker than you can run.

"You could find yourself trapped by smoke and flames."

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KFRS were called to 69 fires on Dartford Heath between May 2011-April 2012. 75% of these were thought to be started deliberately.

He warned youngsters: "If you’re starting fires as a result of peer pressure or because you think its harmless fun, stop and think again.

"Arson is a serious crime."

Firefighters will be visiting local shops around Swanscombe, asking them to enforce a voluntary ban on selling lighters and matches, which do not have a legal minimum age for purchase.

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News Shopper has reported on grass and shrubland blazes in Wrotham, Crayford, Northfleet and Swanley in recent months.

Call Kent Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information about the fires.