Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to provide 'all the support' to Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, which has declared a major incident due to a blaze near the Suffolk coast.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a blaze at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, the service said the affected area had grown to 150 hectares, the equivalent of approximately 210 football pitches. There are 18 fire engines and more than 100 firefighters at the scene.
Burnham pledges support
Speaking to reporters during a visit in Cumbria earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates. It is a very serious incident.
“I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, the other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear.”
Angela Rayner pays tribute
Housing Minister Angela Rayner also paid tribute to firefighters on the front lines. In a video posted to social media, the Communities Secretary said: “I want to pay tribute to the brave firefighters that are tackling the wildfire in Suffolk. Thank you. Your skill and dedication and bravery is outstanding.
“My thoughts are also with the residents that have had to leave their homes. I know it’s incredibly difficult circumstances. The Prime Minister has made clear that the whole of Government will ensure that the fire and rescue services mutual aid and local services have all the resources they need.”
Fire near Sizewell nuclear sites
The fire is a few miles away from nuclear power station Sizewell B and the construction site for new power station Sizewell C. An EDF spokesperson said on Thursday that the fire was “not affecting operations at Sizewell B power station”. The energy supplier said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and it is understood Sizewell B has an emergency plan in place covering a range of scenarios including a fire on site.
Response to continue for 48 hours
In its latest update, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the major incident response can be expected to carry on for at least another 48 hours. Around 50 people have been evacuated to Westleton, whose village hall now serves as a rest centre.
An update on the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service website reads: “Changing wind conditions continue to affect the direction and behaviour of the fire, making it difficult to predict how it may spread.
“Firefighters continue to work with support from our neighbours in the region. We have also requested additional national support, including wildfire specialist appliances, officers, and tactical advisers.
“Around 50 people have received support through the rest centre, which remains open. We expect the response to continue for at least the next 48 hours. While some rain is possible overnight, several more dry days are forecast.”
Political reactions
Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for Mr Burnham to host an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the outbreak of wildfires in Great Britain, including in Suffolk.
“Across the country terrifying wildfires are raging, forcing people to leave their homes not knowing what they will come back to find,” Mr Polanski said. “Thousands of people have been killed by deadly temperatures in the most extreme heatwaves we’ve ever faced.”
He added: “Burnham should call a Cobra meeting and set out urgently how his Government will keep people safe amid this crisis.”
