FIREBUGS plaguing the New Forest have struck again with four blazes that took 18 firefighters more than an hour to tackle.

As the arson campaign continues, local police and the fire service fear the fires may soon get out of control and threaten lives.

The latest in a series of suspect fires that took place over the weekend were started in the gorse and undergrowth on Badminston Common near Fawley.

For the second time in 24 hours, a police spotter plane circled the skies overhead to pinpoint the source of the four fires as emergency crews battled at the site off Badminston Lane during Saturday evening.

A pair of Land Rovers and two other fire appliances were called out from Hardley and Hythe with back-up provided by a water carrier from Lyndhurst.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, the police spotter plane, dog patrol and fire service attended fires on Friday night and during the early hours of Saturday morning in the Dibden and Blackfield areas of the Forest.

A spokesman for Hythe police said inquiries were continuing into the latest incident and warned: "Such irresponsible behaviour is not only a criminal offence but those responsible are putting others in danger.

"We would ask anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously to contact Hythe CID on 01703 845511."

A spokesman for Hampshire fire and rescue service said: "Although there is a lot of surface water about at the moment, the high spots of the Forest are still very dry and, with the leaves and undergrowth dying off, it doesn't take much before we have a major fire.

"A strong breeze would blow it towards property and put lives at risk. Animals, too, could be trapped by a changing wind."

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