A Bucks resident said a fire that ravaged a 'spectacular heritage tree' signals a loss to the community. 

A large tree in Pound Lane car park in Marlow caught fire on the evening of Thursday, August 17, prompting Buckinghamshire Council to release a statement advising residents that part of the car park and nearby road had been closed. 

A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had not been referred to Thames Valley Police as suspected arson, but had instead been logged as accidental, though further details have not yet emerged.

Michael New OBE, a longtime resident and trustee of the Marlow Society said he was concerned that the incident was the latest in a trend of urban trees coming under threat.

He said he had become aware of the fire after members of a local Facebook group reported it, with many speculating that the tree had been set alight. 

Acknowledging that the fire service had indicated that the fire had begun accidentally, he said he "did not know how it could have happened" other than intentionally, since there was not lightning that night nor had he noticed any internal damage to the tree.

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Michael said he understood why part of the car park and Pound Lane road had been cordoned off, due to the risk posed by felling a tree close to overhead power lines, but added that its 'heritage' status was worth taking into consideration. 

"If this heritage tree is lost, it will join others being felled in central Marlow. Two magnificent specimens were (recently) felled in St Peter Street and applications to fell others are extant.

"Our urban trees are generally threatened."

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport at Buckinghamshire Council said a specialist report had been provided of the tree by experts which is currently under review by the council.

He added that the closure of part of Pound Lane and Pound Lane car park were safety measures that had been put in place as a precaution and were likely to remain until remediation works had been completed.

"We appreciate this is an inconvenience to the public and we are working to coordinate and programme the works as soon as possible.

"We are in discussions with the fire service to see if the cause of the fire can be determined."