An investigation is under way after three major forest fires erupted within hours of each other.

Fire brigade chiefs are not ruling out the possibility that arsonists torched three separate areas of Ashdown Forest near Crowborough yesterday.

Up to 100 firefighters from East Sussex, West Sussex and Kent were called in to tackle the fires, which began at 11.45am at Friars Gate, Crowborough. Ten hectares of woodland - an area the size of ten football pitches - caught fire. Minutes later a second, smaller blaze was reported nearby at Limekiln Wood.

At 1.30pm a third major blaze was reported in eight hectares of standing timber and gorseland off the A22 between Nutley and Forest Row at Wych Cross. At one stage 15 fire crews were trying to control the flames.

One firefighter is recovering in hospital after suffering the effects of breathing in smoke but no one else was injured. East Sussex Fire Brigade spokesman David Izod said: "There is no evidence yet that these fires are suspicious but we have to start asking questions. We are not ruling anything out.

"Three fires in one day is rare but not exceptional. A fire investigation officer is on his way to the scenes, which is a rare step to take."

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