Children might have been to blame for two farm fires which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
About 300 tons of baled straw was destroyed in a blaze at Great Holland. Firemen from Frinton were on the scene for 20 hours throughout the night.
About 800 to 900 round bales were destroyed in the fire on farmland in the direction of Frinton Golf Club.
A second fire later on Saturday destroyed about 20 tons of straw at Holland-on-Sea nature reserve. Clacton and Frinton firemen attended.
At both scenes children were seen nearby but it is not known whether the two incidents are linked. A police spokesman confirmed they were being treated as suspicious. Smoke from Saturday's blaze could be seen for miles.
Station Officer Colin Batton said "The fire was reported at about 3.15pm. The crews worked in shifts and finally got back at about 10,30am on Sunday."
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