AN arson attack in Milverton’s village playing field has prompted a warning about the dangers of starting fires during the current hot weather.

A chair was placed on top of a picnic bench and set alight near a skating area over the bank holiday weekend.

Wellington firefighters attended and used Scotty water backpacks to put out the blaze, which had burned away most of the material by the time they arrived.

However, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR) warned the incident could have become far more serious.

A DSFR spokesman said: “Due to the warm weather and drying conditions, the fire burnt quickly.

“With the summer months very close now there is a greater potential that something small can quickly escalate into a larger scale fire involving surrounding materials such as hedgerows.

“Please think before you act.”