A blaze which ripped though nearly three acres of reed beds in Crowhurst has been branded devastating for birdlife.
Firefighters battled for three hours on Saturday afternoon to control and dampen the fire near Upper Wilting Farm, off Crowhurst Road.
The land, which is leased to a farmer by Hastings Borough Council, is within a Site of Scientific Special Inter
est (SSSI) and adjoins Hastings Country Park.
Guy Loder, Pebsham Project Ranger, was at the country park when the fire started at about 12.45pm.
"I was dealing with some people who were fishing illegally within the SSSI and they kept looking over my shoulder into the distance," he said.
"I turned round and saw smoke coming up the valley."
He raised the alarm and fire crews from Hastings and The Ridge attended.
Assisted by local residents, they used beaters to tackle the flames which were up to six feet high.
Among the helpers was Mr Loder who said the fire could have a devastating effect on birdlife.
"It is bird breeding season so at this time of year, a fire like this is a travesty," he added.
"There would have been a lot of warblers which would have lost their nests.
Hopefully the birds will have flown off but there is less habitat for them now.
"It will also mean that brambles and other invasive species could get in and take over parts of this land."
Kevin Haywood, watch commander at Hastings Fire Station, said: "It could have been arson or caused by discarded broken glass which has caught light in the sunshine. The reeds were dry and the fire spread quickly."
He warned: "It is important that people are careful, take their rubbish home and don't leave glass around because it may start a fire."
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