A blaze which started in 30 metres of undergrowth near Rushmere Golf Club earlier today is believed to have been started deliberately.
A lady walking her dogs across the heath reported the fire at 11.45am, with two fire engines and 10 firefighters attending.
The fire crews quickly put out the flames, but remained at the scene to damp down the areas of gorse that were smoking.
The dog walker who reported the fire, but wished to remain anonymous, said: “There was a small fire off the path but it was just raging, so that’s when I called the fire brigade.
“It was pretty instantaneous and it’s shocking how quickly they go [up in flames] because you don’t expect to see it.”
Suffolk Fire and Rescue watch commander Mark Cragg confirmed that an area around 30x20m had been affected, and added that it was “believed to be malicious.”
A police spokeswoman said officers have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire which they will be conducting with the fire service.
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