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Surrey fire crews tackle blaze at Chobham Common Chobham Common blaze suspected arson
(about 1 hour later)
Two hectares (5 acres) of heathland has been destroyed after a fire at a nature reserve in Surrey. Two hectares (5 acres) of heathland has been destroyed after a suspected arson attack at a nature reserve in Surrey.
It started at Chobham Common, off Staple Hill, at about 21:40 BST on Monday and three crews tackled the blaze through the night. It started at Chobham Common, off Staple Hill, at about 21:40 BST on Monday and firefighters worked through the night.
At the height of the fire, crews also used backpacks and beaters to deal with the flames.
The heathland is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, which said the fire had badly damaged the protected site.The heathland is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, which said the fire had badly damaged the protected site.
The fire service said it was investigating and that suspicious activity had been reported in the area.
Rare bird nests
Natural England has described the nature reserve as one of the most ancient types of British landscape.Natural England has described the nature reserve as one of the most ancient types of British landscape.
More than 300 plant species are found on the common, including insect-eating sundews and several types of orchid.More than 300 plant species are found on the common, including insect-eating sundews and several types of orchid.
Rare bird nests
Steve Fry, senior ranger from Surrey Wildlife Trust, said he was reluctant to describe the fire as arson but suspected either someone had lit a small fire "for whatever purpose", or had deliberately wanted to see what would happen if they set light to the heath.Steve Fry, senior ranger from Surrey Wildlife Trust, said he was reluctant to describe the fire as arson but suspected either someone had lit a small fire "for whatever purpose", or had deliberately wanted to see what would happen if they set light to the heath.
The fire service has not yet commented on the cause of the fire. He said: "The tragedy of wildfires at this time of year, deliberate or not, is that the wildlife isn't really geared up to cope with any kind of wildfire, so there's little doubt that it would have affected things like our reptiles and lizards and snakes.
Mr Fry said: "The tragedy of wildfires at this time of year, deliberate or not, is that the wildlife isn't really geared up to cope with any kind of wildfire, so there's little doubt that it would have affected things like our reptiles and lizards and snakes.
"And it's very possible that it might have actually burnt out a couple of territories of quite a rare bird called Dartford warbler.""And it's very possible that it might have actually burnt out a couple of territories of quite a rare bird called Dartford warbler."
'Awkward area''Awkward area'
He said it was likely young birds had already left their nests, but added: "You get small creatures and insects which have no escape from something like a fire."He said it was likely young birds had already left their nests, but added: "You get small creatures and insects which have no escape from something like a fire."
According to Mr Fry, detailed fire plans had been formed for the site after a large blaze at Thursley a few years ago.According to Mr Fry, detailed fire plans had been formed for the site after a large blaze at Thursley a few years ago.
He said the plans allowed the fire service to respond with a minimum number of vehicles and ensured they could access the site within minutes.He said the plans allowed the fire service to respond with a minimum number of vehicles and ensured they could access the site within minutes.
Crews extinguished the fire, which was on a steep slope, within about two hours but remained at the scene to make sure it did not reignite, he added.Crews extinguished the fire, which was on a steep slope, within about two hours but remained at the scene to make sure it did not reignite, he added.
Specialist wildfire officer Alan Grant, from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said it was more than likely the fire had been started deliberately.
He said witnesses had reported youths in the area and the fire service was working closely with Surrey Police to investigate the incident.
The fire officer warned people enjoying the hot weather to think about safety and not to use disposable barbecues or discard cigarette ends.
He also urged people to report any inappropriate or anti-social behaviour to the fire service or police.