Wildfire 'started deliberately', fire service says

Evidence suggests a heath fire was started deliberately, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service says.

The fire service said a fire at Brentmoor Common near Lightwater covered an area roughly equivalent to five-and-a-half football pitches after crews were called at about 02:30 BST on Tuesday.

Area Commander Glyn Parry-Jones told BBC Radio Surrey: "It is believed that this fire was started deliberately but further investigations are ongoing and we'll get a clearer picture in the future."

A separate fire which broke out at another nature reserve hours earlier was thought to have been caused by discarded glass, the fire service said.

At the height of the blaze at Brentmoor Common, six specialist wildfire units and three fire engines were on the scene, with firefighters remaining to extinguish hotspots later in the day.

Parry-Jones said they found fuel cans at the scene and as the fire spread quickly during the night it suggested there may have been "some sort of assistance - an accelerant to develop it quickly".

Surrey Police has been approached for more information.

The Brentmoor blaze followed a fire at Whitmoor Common, near Guildford, on Monday afternoon.

Firefighters said they believed it had been caused by discarded glass focusing the Sun's rays on to dry vegetation.

Seven wildfire units and three fire engines were sent to the scene.

The blaze burned an area equivalent to about one-and-a-half football pitches before being brought under control, the fire service said.

Parry-Jones says firefighters will continue checking both sites for hotspots, which can smoulder underground and reignite hours or even days later, particularly in areas containing peat.

Surrey County Council has urged people to help prevent wildfires by avoiding barbecues, camping stoves and open fires on heaths and commons, disposing of cigarettes responsibly, and taking litter home.

It urged people to avoid activities that could spark fires and to call 999 immediately if they spot a blaze.

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