Police in Derbyshire are appealing for witnesses to come forward over this 5G phone mast fire in Derby.

The Derbyshire Constabulary released this footage showing the phone mast fire that took place off the A61 on Sir Frank Whittle Road, in the city of Derby, in Derbyshire, in the United Kingdom, on Monday 20th December shortly after 8.15pm.

The police said in a statement released on Monday 21st December that fire crews alerted the police to the incident, adding: “The road was closed while they dealt with the fire, and for some time this morning while the area was made safe. It has now re-opened but the footpath which goes past the mast remains closed.”

The police added: “While officers believe the mast may have been tampered with, the cause of the fire is indeterminate.

“We would like to speak to any witnesses or anyone who noticed anything suspicious just before or just after incident.

“If you have any information please contact us on the non-emergency details below, quoting reference 21*740241.”

The police also said that people could contact them on social media:

“Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
“Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
“Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/ContactUs.
“Phone – call us on 101.

“You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

It is currently unclear what caused the fire and police have not indicated if they have established a potential motive yet.

But 5G phone mast fires have been linked to a conspiracy theory that incorrectly links 5G and the coronavirus. The BBC reported on 24th May 2020 that another 5G mast was also set on fire in Derby days after it was set up.