'Automatic fire-starting device' at tinder-dry beauty spot left by 'brain-dead idiots'

A suspected fire-starting device has been reported to the police after being discovered in the tinder-dry hills of North Wales. The large kindling-filled jar was found on the Panorama walk above Llangollen, Denbighshire.

Photographer Marcus Rheade-Edwards said the 10-inch glass jar was part buried in a cone-shaped hole to “focus the sun’s rays”. He removed the device and alerted the police and fire service amid safety concerns in the current heatwave.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) said it was “not aware” of such devices and cannot comment if the one found was malicious or not. Officers have been informed and are investigating.

Marcus was on a night photography trip when he came across the device. He is convinced was made to ignite a blaze in the area. “It was set up to start a fire by sun,” he said.

“It contained dry twigs as tinder with the soil made into a funnel to focus the sun’s rays. The ground had been recently disturbed.

“Another similar contraption was discovered up at the Panorama a few weeks back by someone else, who also posted it online. I also noticed all the “no fires” signs have been removed, probably by the same sort of idiots.”