Three boys arrested after deliberate woodland wildfire in Rugeley

The boys, aged 12, 13 and 14 have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life

Author: Natalia AntoniwPublished 31st Jul 2026

Three boys have been arrested after a deliberate woodland fire was started in Rugeley.

The boys, aged 12, 13 and 14, all from the Rugeley area, have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Emergency services were called to a report of a wildfire woodland off Bower Lane in Etching Hill at around 4:15pm on Thursday 30 July.

Fire crews were able to bring the fire under control and an investigation was launched.

Police say the fire was started deliberately by setting pieces of wood alight and throwing them into the woodland.

Inspector Stephen Windridge, local operational inspector, said: “I would like to express my thanks to local residents who helped us identify the suspects and their movements early on through home CCTV. This has led to the arrest of three suspects who are now in custody for questioning.”

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