A NUMBER of fire appliances were sent to control a blaze on Dartmoor on Monday as moorland swaling got out of control.

It is thought that the authorised burning of gorse at Dunnabridge near Princetown was caught by the wind and blown out of control, causing around 500 square metres of gorse to be in flames.

A pump from Princetown attended the fire, along with five more pumps from Ashburton, Yelverton, Tavistock and Moretonhampstead. Three support vehicles, three fire chief's cars, a police vehicle and an ambulance were also present.

The fire started at around 1pm, with fire crews attempting to control the blaze using a farmers bowser and beaters.

With the fire under control at around 5pm, the remainder was left to burn out overnight.