FARNHAM firefighters tackled their second grassland blaze in just over a fortnight last Friday afternoon.

Two crews from Farnham and Rushmoor spent almost an hour dousing the fire at the Caesar’s Camp MOD training grounds north of Farnham from around 2.45pm.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire was started “deliberately” and destroyed around 600 square metres of rare heathland habitat - a breeding ground for birds such as the Dartford Warbler.

The alleged offenders were condemned on social media for starting the fire, it coming just minutes before the fatal plane crash at Blackbushe Airport.

Twitter user @RushmoorRebel posted: “Whilst many crews were at the major incident at Blackbushe, others deployed at deliberate wildfires. Arson put us all at risk.”

It comes after another major fire took hold on Hankley Common on July 16, prompting Farnham firefighters to urge people to be extra vigilant when out picnicking in dry weather.

Fire crews from Farnham, Haslemere, Camberley, Cranleigh and Woking battled to contain the Hankley blaze that destroyed an area extending to two hectares 500 metres west of Kettlebury Farm.