SEVERAL rare species of animals have died after a large heath fire earlier this week, it has been revealed.

More than 60 firefighters dealt with a devastating blaze at Stephens Castle in Verwood covering 4.7 hectares of gorse and heathland.

Police are carrying out enquiries into the fire, as the fire service believe it started through human intervention.

As firefighters tackled the inferno for more than eight hours, the mains water outlets being used collapsed and water had to be syphoned form the heathland pond.

However, during a regular check of the filters, rare great crested and palmate newts had be sucked into it.

Charred slow worm (Image: Urban Heaths Partnership)

Although they were rescued and let free, there were several fatalities along with more heathland creatures which perished in the flames.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service wildfire tactical advisor Andy Elliott said: “I’m really pleased at how the crews reacted so quickly to this unfortunate incident by immediately stopping all pumping operations and taking action to release the trapped newts.

Read more: Verwood heath fire: firefighters called to fire on Wednesday

“We have to thank our colleagues from Forestry England who provided a tractor and bowser to enable us to continue damping down.”

Newts being released back to their habitat (Image: Urban Heaths Partnership)

This is just another hidden and perhaps unexpected cost of the wildfires which have become so prevalent across our heaths and forests in recent times.

Ben Walbridge, senior ranger for Dorset Council, said it was “heartbreaking” to see the charred slow worms and other animals burnt alive.

Read more: How nature is healing one year on from Canford Heath fire

He added: “The team has worked hard to reduce the fire risk and improve the heathland habitat for wildlife, with several hectares of gorse and scrub cleared last winter alone.

“To put into context how important these sites are, Dorset has just under 2.5 per cent of the world’s remaining lowland heathland, and we can scarcely afford to lose any more to fires like the one today.”

Heath fire aftermath (Image: Urban Heaths Partnership)

The Urban Heaths Partnership works to reduce wildfire impacts on heathlands across Dorset, protect and enhance these areas and raise understanding of their habitat and history.

Paul Attwell, team manager at the Urban Heaths Partnership, added: “Heathland wildfires can put the public and firefighters at risk and be devastating to endangered plants and animals, as well as putting nearby homes in danger.

“Please take additional care and be extra vigilant during warm weather and report anything that looks like a possible fire, don’t wait and think someone else will report it.

“During this time, we will increase partnership staff and volunteers on site to help prevent large fires.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "The cause of the fire has not been confirmed at this time but local officers have been made aware and have been making enquiries."