AS DAWN broke over Poole’s smouldering Upton Heath the true extent of the county’s worst heathland arson attack for decades became shockingly apparent.

An area of 200 acres, roughly equivalent to more than 130 football pitches, has been destroyed in the inferno that threatened nearby homes and injured four firefighters.

Thousands of protected species – including a number of the rarest reptiles and birds in Britain – have been killed.

Wildlife experts warn it could take up to 30 years before the rare lowland heathland habitat can return to its pre-fire state.

Only the circling buzzards seem to have prospered from the fire – the loss of so much natural habitat leaves any disorientated surviving reptiles as easy pickings.

Police have launched an arson probe into Thursday’s inferno, amid reports of two youths running from the scene.

Superintendent Mick Rogers stressed: “Rest assured that we are determined to trace the people responsible for this incredibly dangerous and damaging fire and bring them to justice.”

At its height around 200 firefighters worked to stop the wildfire spreading.

Around 40 nearby homes were evacuated and large areas of Corfe Mullen |were engulfed in thick smoke.

The blaze came within metres of many back gardens.

At one point firefighters were faced with a 700 |metre fire front, which included flames 30ft |high and was capable of moving at speeds of up to 20mph.

Even the fastest sprinter would find it a struggle to reach five mph over the boggy, uneven terrain of the heath.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service area commander Keith Bacon said: “I wouldn’t even try to guess why people like setting fires on the heath.

I cannot imagine it is fun. Whether they get some morbid kick out of seeing something destroyed, I just don’t know.

“But the danger they are putting other members of the public in is incredible; and the danger they are putting my people in is unforgivable.

“I just hope the police find out who the individuals concerned are, and that the magistrate or the judge is resilient enough to throw the book at them.”