A historic common was engulfed by two fires which may have been started deliberately yesterday.

Rangers with chainsaws cleared the way so firefighters could reach the second blaze that spread across two hectares - 20,000sqm - of Ashtead Common at about 8pm.

Firefighters had to use Land Rovers to go across country to tackle the burning bracken and dry grass.

UPDATE: "Ring of fire" - Rangers battled to save historic common from FIVE suspected arson attacks

Fireman Alex Cribben, based at Epsom fire station, said rangers cleared vegetation so firefighters could reach the fire and also cut down a couple of trees.

Mr Cribben said: "We had to get one of the rangers to cut down large trees because we were worried the flames could jump between the trees because they were so dry.

"They were reluctant to cut them because even some of the dead trees have wildlife and insects living inside. Unfortunately we found grass snake eggs that had perished."

Firefighters were called to another fire which covered 200 square metres on a different part of the common earlier the same day at 1.30pm.

Mr Cribben said: "Ashtead common was alight on two separate occasions yesterday. It has not been confirmed whether it was deliberate but it seems quite likely that it was."

He said the first fire was brought under control by about 6pm, but the second fire was reported just a few hours later.

Firefighters used hose reels to tackle the large fire and left rangers to extinguish its remains at about 1.30am this morning.

Mr Cribben said: "We were quite lucky, it was mild last night and there was no wind. If the wind had kicked up it would have been a lot worse."

He added: "I heard the ranger say this is the driest part of the year for them. All the dead bracken is still left from last year and the new stuff has not come through yet."

He said firefighters accessed the common at Kingston Road near the Star Pub.