Firefighters have again been called to a blaze burning near the bat colony at East Cessnock.
A section of bush 10 by 20 metres went up in flames near the corner of Long Street and Old Maitland Road at about 2.30 this morning.
Police say it's the second deliberately lit fire in the area in less than a week, with firefighters putting out a blaze in the same spot last Saturday.
It's believed someone is trying to destroy the bat's habitat amid widespread community concern about the noise and smell of the protected flying foxes.
The state government last week provided $10,000 to Cessnock Council to help with moves to relocate the bat colony.
It's hoped the Hunter will get a share in a further $1,000,000 being made available statewide to deal with other flying fox colonies across the region.
