Firefighters are warning Medway residents to protect the countryside by being extra careful not to start or cause fires through carelessness, following an increase in call outs.

Last night crews spent over three hours tackling a forest fire, which was believed to have been started accidentally by a camp fire.

e opposite Haven Street, Wainscott, at 7.15pm.Four fire engines attended attended the blaz

Stuart Skilton, community safety manager at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Obviously we want people to enjoy the summer but every year thousands of acres of countryside, crops, and wildlife habitats are destroyed by fire.

"While some of the incidents are due to deliberate fire-setters, many are actually started accidentally due to carelessness.

“Grassland fires have the potential to spread extremely quickly and can divert crews away from other incidents, such as road crashes or house fires, where lives may be in danger.”

Last night a crew was also called to a fence alight in Gerald Avenue, Chatham at 5.51pm. They spent 20 minutes on the scene.

This morning crews have been tackling a 7.5 tonnes truck alight between junctions 2 and 3 on the Londonbound M2.