A teenager arrested on suspicion of arson following a large blaze in the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog has been released without charge.

Officers from North Wales Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy has been released this week following his arrest shortly after the blaze in late April.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “Our enquiries into a large gorse fire in the Blaenau Ffestiniog area on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend has closed with no further action.

“A 15 year old boy arrested and released under investigation is no longer being investigated on suspicion of arson.”

Around 20 homes were evacuated and a number of roads closed as the gorse fire took hold and ravaged the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog on 22 April.

Praise was heaped on emergency services at the local community at the time, with one local café remaining open throughout the night to help those forced to evacuate their homes.