Hundreds of holidaymakers have been evacuated as firefighters battle a large wildfire in Suffolk.
The blaze on Dunwich Heath, which began at around 5.30pm yesterday, is spreading rapidly in the direction of Sizewell B nuclear power station, which is about 2.5 miles away.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said it was working hard to protect holiday homes – with around 200 caravans at the Cliff House Holiday Park evacuated overnight.
Britain is at risk of ‘exceptionally severe’ wildfires, experts warned yesterday – with the country boiling in its fourth heatwave of the year.
Amber heat-health alerts have also been issued for the East Midlands, the east, south-east and London as the mercury rises once again this summer.
People have been urged to avoid the area and to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue has declared the blaze a major incident ‘due to the size and complexity’.
It began in heathland near the Coastguard Cottages, which are properties on the Suffolk coastline.
The blaze on Dunwich Heath, which began at around 5.30pm yesterday, is spreading rapidly in the direction of Sizewell B nuclear power station, which is about 2.5 miles away
Station manager Dan Davis said: ‘Crews from Leiston attended the scene and were met with what is a large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire.’
‘The incident has subsequently been upgraded to a major incident.
‘We currently have approximately 90 firefighters on scene working incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.’
Mr Davis added: ‘I’d like to provide reassurance that we are going to remain on scene until we bring this fire under control.’
It comes amid UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing an amber heat-health alert for the east midlands, the east, south east and London.
The alert remains in place until 9am on Thursday, with the agency previously warning that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Separately, in Scotland, crews said they were making ‘significant progress’ tackling a wildfire in the Cairngorms that broke out two weeks ago.
A number of homes in the remote region were evacuated as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, and vast swathes of trees, heather and grasslands have been left charred and blackened.
Speaking on the track on Wednesday, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys told the Press Association that fire crews are making progress in tackling the blaze.
However, he warned the risk of flare-ups remains high.
‘It’s been an absolutely devastating fire for wildlife and for the local community who have come out in force to really support us, which we really do appreciate,’ he said.
‘To control this fire, what we’ve had to put in place is a significant number of fire breaks.’
This is a breaking news story – more to follow
