Arsonists ‘stole’ a moped and set it alight on a path in the middle of Epsom Common last night.

The blaze could have “easily spread” to dry woodland, a firefighter told the Epsom Guardian.

The crew from Epsom fire station was called to the Common at about 9.50pm last night (Monday, April 24).

Watch commander Gareth Arnold said it was believed the vehicle was “stolen”, and that it was “difficult” and “time-consuming” to reach the flaming moped, with firefighters carrying their equipment 600 metres to put out the blaze.

“It’s so dry out there that it wouldn’t take much for it to spread,” he said.

“Setting fire to a petrol vehicle on the middle of the woods could easily have spread further.”

From April: Spate of large fires 'set deliberately' in Nonsuch Park and Epsom Common 'endangering lives and property', firefighters warn

It took the crew about an hour to put the fire out, he added.

Surrey Police is investigating and enquiries continue to determine whether the motorbike had been stolen.

To offer information, call Surrey Police on 101, quoting incident reference P17097857.

Did you see anything? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk