FIRE crews from eight stations spent most of Christmas Day dealing with a large heathland fire near West Anstey on Exmoor.

A crew from Dulverton was mobilised at 12.25pm on December 25 to smoke seen coming from the ridge of West Anstey Common.

Upon arrival the crew confirmed a 60 metre fire front and requested a second pump.

Over time this was then escalated to six pumps and a water carrier, as well as a number of specialist officers and two ATVs.

Crews from Barnstaple, Lynton, Torrington, Bampton, Tiverton, Dulverton, Porlock and Wiveliscombe.

After putting out the fire, crews left the scene just after 7pm.

Later that night, at 10.08pm, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue received three reports of a fire on West Anstey Common and immediately mobilised crews from Bampton, South Molton, Tiverton and a water carrier from Barnstaple.

Crews found seven seats of fire with one of the seats of fire measuring approximately 50m x 60m with a flame height of approximately one metre.

Crews utilised the water bowser and fire beaters working in pairs.

Crews successfully extinguished the fire and left the scene at 8.18am on Boxing Day, December 26.

This was believed to be deliberate ignition.