Wildfire at Littlehampton Golf Club Believed to Be Deliberate

Firefighters battled a large wildfire on the edge of Littlehampton Golf Club on Monday evening, with emergency services suspecting the blaze was not started accidentally.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received reports of the fire at 7.05pm on Monday 14 July at Rope Walk, where flames were affecting gorse, reeds, grassland, trees and approximately ten tonnes of hay. Four fire engines and three off-road vehicles were deployed to the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus quickly worked to contain the rapidly spreading fire.

The operation continued into the night, with the final fire crew leaving the area at 11.15pm. No injuries were reported, but local residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut due to significant smoke. While the exact cause remains undetermined, fire officials confirmed that it is not believed to have started by accident.

The incident prompted the fire service to remind the public to take precautions during dry weather, including properly extinguishing cigarettes and disposable barbecues, and avoiding leaving glass bottles outdoors, which can magnify sunlight and ignite fires.