Dunwich Beach and surrounding heathland in Suffolk have been sealed off while firefighters tackle a major wildfire. Emergency services have urged the public to stay away as crews work to bring the blaze under control.
Residents Advised to Keep Windows Shut
Changing winds are carrying large amounts of smoke across the area. Residents have been advised to keep windows and doors shut. The wildfire has spread across the National Trust's Dunwich Heath, covering an area roughly equivalent to 140 football pitches.
Evacuations Overnight
Families living nearby were forced to leave their homes after the fire broke out shortly after 5.30pm yesterday. Holidaymakers at a nearby caravan park were woken by firefighters hammering on doors during emergency evacuations. Crews safely evacuated Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm, Cliff House Holiday Park and around 200 caravans at the holiday park overnight.
Those displaced, including families, older residents and people with disabilities, were accommodated by local villagers overnight and told not to return to their homes.
Major Incident Declared
Suffolk Fire and Rescue declared the blaze a major incident due to its size and complexity after it burned through around 100 acres of heathland. At a press conference, chief fire officer Jon Lacey described it as "one of the largest that I remember in the history of Suffolk". The number of firefighters at the scene has risen from 80 overnight to 120, with crews estimating it could take up to 36 hours to fully contain the fire.
The blaze is about three miles from Sizewell B nuclear power station, but emergency services say it does not currently pose a threat. The nearby RSPB Minsmere nature reserve announced it would remain closed today as a precautionary measure.
