A POLICE investigation is under way after a digger, connected to a controversial tree clearance site, was found burning in the early hours of Friday morning.
Firefighters from Reigate were called to the site in Sandcross Lane, Woodhatch, at about 4.40am on Friday (May 10) after neighbours noticed the digger engulfed in flames.
Officers believe the fire is suspicious and have since put police tape across the site entrance.
Two days prior to the digger fire, workers were seen cutting down and burning dozens of trees and bushes from the wasteland, which sits between Reigate Garden Centre and the YMCA Sovereign Centre.
Several residents contacted the Mirror claiming smoke had been drifting down the road and into some houses.
Albert Prince, who lives nearby, said at the time: "What we have is smoke affecting the houses. It's putting people at risk. The people living in the houses will have had exposure to quite a lot of smoke."
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said he had noticed the digger on fire in the early hours of the following day and had called the fire brigade.
It is understood that no work has since been carried out on the site.
According to the Environment Agency it hadn't been made aware of the initial incident but had since investigated and passed the matter on to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. The council said the land belongs to Bensons Funfairs and that they are not in a position to do anything about the site clearance as there are no protection orders on the trees.
The Mirror tried to contact Bensons for a comment but they hadn't responded before we went to press.
Dawn Groom from Surrey Police said: "Surrey Police is investigating following a vehicle fire which is believed to be of suspicious origin at waste ground in Reigate. Around £2,000 worth of damage was caused to the digger.
"Inquiries are being carried out in the local area and anyone with information on this offence is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference RB/13/3584."
