Angela AnneThe fire broke out at Pegwell Bay on Sunday eveningA fire has destroyed part of a reed bed at a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Kent, an environmental group says.
The fire broke out at Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate on Sunday evening.
Nik Mitchell, from the local group Get Wild described the damage as "devastating", especially as it happened during nesting season.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) says the cause of the fire is not yet known.
In a video posted on social media Mitchell said the fire had left a 300m (984ft) scar across the land.
"Probably about 300 acres of burnt reed bed there," he said.
"There would have been loads of nesting birds in there and lots of nest building, it's devastating."
The reed beds are used by warblers and reed buntings, which nest in early spring.
Mitchell said Kent Fire and Rescue Service had done "an incredible job" of putting the fire out and limiting the damage, but was concerned people would start to use the damaged area as a footpath, which would prevent the reed bed from growing back.
In a statement KFRS said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of marshland alight in Sandwich Road, Ramsgate.
"Three fire engines attended, and crews used main jets and hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.
"No injuries were reported, the cause is unknown."
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