Crossword Genius

Outbreak from feral bats ahead (5-2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flare-up

'outbreak' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'feral bats ahead' is the wordplay.
'bats' is an anagram indicator (slang for mad).
'ahead' becomes 'up' (similar in meaning).
'feral' with letters rearranged gives 'flare'.
'flare'+'up'='FLARE-UP'

'from' is the link.

(Other definitions for flare-up that I've seen before include "Burst into flames" , "Sudden outburst" , "Sudden burst of light" , "Explosion of emotion" , "Sudden outbreak (of violence, etc)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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