GRASSLAND covering an area larger than two football pitches was scorched when a fire tore across Middlewick Ranges.

Landowners estimate 400m by 200m of grassland was damaged after a blaze at the Wick, off Abbot’s Road, on Monday.

Crews from Colchester, Wivenhoe, Clacton, Weeley and an off-road vehicle from Manningtree were on the scene.

Gazette: The aftermath of a fire at Middlewick RangesThe aftermath of a fire at Middlewick Ranges

A fire service spokesman said: “We have been unable to determine the cause of the fire but have no reason to believe it was deliberate.

“We had a crew there last night who worked to cool any remaining hotspots and we have now left the scene completely.”

Witness David Nohar told the Gazette: "It started really small, before a big tree went up in flames.

"The flames were so high you could see them from Lidl.

"Residents were using their own water supply to fill up buckets to rush to put the fire out.

"As it was really close to the road, a man with a hose was there for a while fighting the fire trying to protect his home."

The Wick, which features rare grassland, has been the subject of much debate in recent months ahead of its allocation as a site for 1,000 new homes in Colchester’s local plan.

The MoD is expected to sell the land for development when firing operations move to Fingringhoe, despite hundreds of objections from residents.

The Save the Middlewick Ranges group said: “It’s the third fire in as many weeks in the same area.

“It could easily have been a discarded cigarette or a bit of dumped glass bottle.”

The MoD said the fire had a “minimal impact” on wildlife in the area.

A spokesman said: “We are aware of a fire that started at the northern end of Middlewick Ranges, adjacent to Abbot’s Road, yesterday afternoon.

“The fire was extinguished by Essex Fire Service.

“The fire caused superficial damage and there will be minimal impact on the wildlife.

“No military activity took place in the area yesterday and the cause of the fire is still unknown."