Youths start fire at Pickmere Lake as police van's window smashed

Emergency services were called to Pickmere Lake after a field was seemingly set on fire deliberately.

Wincham Parish Council has issued a reminder that much of the land around the lake is privately owned and as such, visitors have ‘no legal rights’ to use it.

They are also urging anyone who may have witnessed what happened on Monday evening (July 29) to get in touch.

A spokesperson said: “The land around the lake is not a place for anti-social behaviour, for drinks and drug abuse, for relieving yourself and certainly not a place to set a fire and then stand and watch a private field burn!

“We have just passed the anniversary of a young man dying in the lake, we don’t want another death.

“Anyone who has any video footage of any of the activity tonight, please message us with this and send it to the police.

“On leaving the ‘visitors’ smashed the windscreen of a police car. The police and the fire brigade were there to help, support and control the situation!”

Damage caused by the fire (Image: Wincham Parish Council)

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent one engine, from the Northwich station, to the scene.

Firefighters used a hose reel jet and beaters to extinguish the ‘large fire’, which stemmed from a field of mowed grass and hay.

Cheshire Police were also in attendance.

Whilst dealing with the situation, one of their vans’ windows was smashed, putting the vehicle out of action.

Sharing a photo of the fire damage on social media, a spokesperson for the force said: “Officers on patrol saw smoke near Pickmere Lake and investigated.

“They found that the dry hay had been set alight, seemingly deliberately according to some in attendance, which was quickly spreading.

“Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and dealt with the fire however not before the damage in the photograph had occurred.

“If your young person/people were in attendance at this location, please speak to them, advise of the risks of such behaviour and contact us if you can provide any information about who started the fire.”

Photo of the blaze shared by the police (Image: Cheshire Police)

They added: “As a side note, whilst officers were dealing with this incident, the windscreen to one of our vans has been smashed which means we have one less vehicle available to us to respond to incidents.

“Likewise, if anyone has information about who caused this damage, please contact us quoting IML1882572.”

Firefighters used a hose reel and beaters to extinguish the flames (Image: Wincham Parish Council)