Fires started deliberately at a park have left nearby homeowners "terrified' that a field blaze will break out, or even lead to a death.

It comes after Kent Fire and Rescue Service have this year been called to more than 400 wildfires across the county, compared to just 44 in 2021.

Burnt patches of grass were discovered by walker Simon Higgins at the Little Burton park in Kennington, Ashford, leaving him concerned for the safety of those living nearby.

Mr Higgins, who lives on the Little Burton housing estate, said: "I took my dog out for a walk on Thursday morning and found two burnt out areas of grass.

"One was around two metres by two metres and the other was around four metres by four metres.

"There was also a burnt can of deodorant next to them. All around the field, approximately 10 metres from the burnt areas, are bone dry trees and wild grass areas.

"I was amazed and disgusted that people would start fires around wooded and wild grass areas, despite all the warnings.

"After seeing on the news acres upon acres of fields and farmlands, people's homes and businesses, and wildlife destroyed by wildfires, it totally bemuses me why anyone would start a fire deliberately, especially in the current conditions.

"My concern is that this type of behaviour could carry on, or they might try again, and this time the fire spread and cause massive destruction. Eventually this kind of stupidity is going to lead to a death of a resident, the fire starter, or an emergency service worker."

The 42-year-old added that he thinks it's kids who are starting the fires.

"They do it thinking they're clever and funny," he added. "There's always loads of broken glass around these fields too.

"It's an enclosed field so they probably thought they could do it and no one see them.

"I'm okay where I am but it's the local houses and wildlife that I'm scared for.

"Why don't people understand the danger they are making?

"People need to be made aware of the problem.

"Fortunately for the local residents, the wildlife and the emergency services, they had obviously failed in their attempt at creating chaos and carnage.

"I can only assume that they chose that area of the field because it is enclosed and it's much less likely that they would have been caught."

The father-of-five says the fires could have quickly got out of control, adding: "The flip side to that is it would have set the whole area on fire phenomenally quickly.

"Emergency services would have struggled to get to this area because of its location and I dread to think what the final outcome would have been."

Mr Higgins says that "people need to have a bit of common sense, and think twice before doing something so incredibly dangerous".

He has now informed the crime and safety unit at Ashford Borough Council, as advised by a neighbour.

Amid the heatwave, fire services have been inundated with grass fires over recent weeks.

A fire at an industrial estate in Woodchurch, during the heatwave in July, forced several businesses on the site to close, with one left with nothing.

The fire started because of overgrown trees pushing cables together which sparked and ignited.

These unintentional fires amid soaring temperatures has led to the fire service releasing daily warnings and advice to ensure people stay safe.

But Mr Higgins is concerned fires started in parks could continue.

He said: "A simple message to youths - please think before starting fires; think about the animals living there, the people living nearby, the lack of water at present, and the fire fighters who are stretched to capacity."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to do all they can to stay safe and help reduce preventable grass, crop and woodland fires.

KFRS area manager Leanne McMahon said: “In prolonged periods of hot, dry weather, fires can develop and spread rapidly, with greater severity, and grass fires often require a large amount of fire service resources and can take many hours or days to fully extinguish.

“While some grass fires are not preventable, we want everyone to consider their actions and play a part in reducing the chance of grass fires taking hold in the first place, to protect people, property and nature.”