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Wildlife in Surrey was threatened over the Bank Holiday weekend as three fires broke out at Horsell Common in three consecutive days.

The first of the fires took place on Friday evening (August 23) with crews from Woking,Egham and Camberley all attending.

Woking firefighters returned to the common on Saturday (August 24), before having to be called out for a third time on Sunday (August 25).

While the fires were less than an acre in size, they were in a “sensitive area” of the common – home to reptiles and various other species of wildlife.

The location of the fire was also home to dew and a large quantity of bog asphodel, found in damp and boggy areas of heaths and moors.

It meant that parts of the fire spread underground and reignited in other parts of the common.

(Image: Horsell Common Preservation Society)

Paul Rimmer, estates manager of Horsell Common Preservation Society, said the fires were likely to have been caused by “a cigarette end or barbecue” although this has not been confirmed.

He added: ”Although it was not an extensive fire, it was in a very sensitive area of the common.

"Some of the area is dew and the other is what is known as bog asphodel.

“All the wildlife and reptiles live in that part of the common. This particular one was less than an acre in size. Most certainly some reptiles will have been affected and various species or wildlife.

(Image: Horsell Common Preservation Society)

“They [firefighters] were there for about three or four hours on Friday night and a couple of hours on Saturday, then again on Sunday.

"Because of its location, the fire crew could only get four-wheel drive vehicles there, which they had about two or three of.

“We have no idea at this stage what the cause was, but it most certainly would have been a cigarette end or someone having a barbecue.

"We are grateful to the fire service, but we are also worried about the potential cuts, particularly on the night shift. Fires can happen at anytime of the day.”

A firefighter at Woking confirmed that the station sent specialist units to the common on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the summer bank holiday weekend.