Arson investigation begins into Walpole Cross Keys stack fire

A stack fire which broke out close to a busy road last night is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.

An investigation has been launched into the blaze on land off Grange Road, Walpole Cross Keys, which was reported at around 7.15pm on Monday.

And emergency crews remained at the scene, which is just off the A17, until well into the early hours of this morning.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said a short time ago: "A stack fire on a piece of land in Walpole Cross Keys is being treated as arson.

"Officers were called to reports of the fire at 7.30pm on Monday 25 October. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote reference number 36/79480/21."

Two fire crews from Lynn, plus two from Lincolnshire, are understood to have been sent to tackle the blaze.

Although the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has tweeted this morning that the incident was over, the last crews left the scene at around 4am today.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council, which oversees the fire service, said: "The incident has been left in the hands of the farmer.

"It’s now a controlled burn and there are no return visits planned, unless we get a further call."

Overnight, the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said a crew from Long Sutton had attended the scene and the fire was being allowed to burn out under supervision.