Emergency services have confirmed that a recent fire at a beauty spot near Woking was started deliberately.

A woman in her 20s was arrested by Surrey Police last Saturday (August 8) on suspicion of arson and criminal damage following a blaze on Bisley Common.

Specialist vehicles and a fire engine were sent to the heathland site after the alarm was raised at 1.04pm.

The fire affected a hectare of land with firefighters leaving the scene around 4pm before returning later for a re-inspection.

The police also attended the incident with the cause being confirmed as deliberate and the investigation being managed by CID and Surrey Fire & Rescue.

The suspect, who was also arrested in connection with a second fire at a residential address on Limecroft Road in Knaphill, was later released with no further action.

The fire was the second in the area in a month as firefighters spent several hours battling a blaze on Chobham Common on Sunday, July 19.

Around 1.8 hectares of land had been left “crispy and burnt” by the flames with the fire covering around two hectares at its peak.

In the meantime Surrey Fire & Rescue have once again pleaded for people not to light fires or use disposable barbecues in the great outdoors as they’ve been inundated with calls from concerned residents as the heat rises once more.

A spokesperson said: “We've been receiving calls from people concerned about neighbours having bonfires, campfires and letting off fireworks in their garden during this very hot and dry period.

“We strongly advise against bonfires, fireworks, campfires, or disposable BBQs, as fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control.

“They not only put your own home at risk, but your neighbours’ took – we’ve seen it before.”