VILLAGERS have spoken of their shock at the revelation that police have questioned two firefighters about a spate of arson attacks in the New Forest.

A 55-year-old man and a 24-year-old colleague were arrested on Wednesday and quizzed about eight suspicious fires in the Beaulieu and East Boldre area.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, both men are retained (part-time) firefighters based at Beaulieu fire station.

The older man has been freed without charge, but his colleague has been released on bail pending further inquiries and suspended from the fire service.

Villagers in the close-knit community were stunned to learn of the latest developments in the arson inquiry.

Christopher Fairweather, chairman of the local parish council, said: "We are surprised and shocked to discover that two of our own firefighters have been questioned about the recent fires.

"Beaulieu's firefighting team are brilliant and do a great job."

A Beaulieu trader, who asked not to be identified, said: "We all hold them in the highest regard. They're really are looked up to in the community and the news that two of them have been questioned by police is a shock."

Beaulieu fire station is just 50 yards from the scene of the latest blaze, a £1m tide mill that was wrecked on March 16.

Within hours of the fire, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and his son Ralph issued a statement praising the firefighters for the way they managed to prevent the flames spreading to adjoining houses.

Lord Montagu, 79, has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to conviction of the person or persons responsible for the arson attacks.

Many of the fires have occurred on the peer's 7,000-acre Beaulieu Estate, which includes the National Motor Museum and the former shipbuilding village of Buckler's Hard.

All the firefighters based at Beaulieu are understood to work on the estate.

An estate spokesman said: "We are continuing to support the police in every way we can to help them find the person or persons who are committing these acts. Lord Montagu is away but we are keeping him informed."

Charley Knight, officer-in-charge at Beaulieu fire station, refused to comment.

A Hampshire police spokesman confirmed that a 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of arson had been released, pending further inquiries, and a 55-year-old man had been released without charge.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Two retained firefighters were questioned by police following a series of fires in the surrounding area.

"One of the individuals has now been released without any charge.

"The other firefighter has been released on bail until June 21 and will be suspended from the service while the investigation is undertaken."