A large fire at a Dorset nature reserve was most likely caused by a barbecue, firefighters said.
Firefighters battled through the night to bring a blaze in Studland Heath under control on Friday.
Ninety firefighters were deployed when the fire was first reported at around 1pm on Friday, and 10 fire engines were deployed from neighboring areas, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said.
A spokeswoman for the force told PA News that a disposable barbecue was the most likely cause. “We found evidence of a small camp where someone used a disposable barbecue; we can’t say 100% that’s the cause, but when we find evidence, we have to accept that it’s the most likely cause – fires don’t start themselves,” she said.
Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the most popular stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said there was almost a 500% increase in bushfires in the first 10 days of August this year compared to 2021.
Jason Moncrieff, the service’s regional manager, told the BBC’s Today programme: “It’s a huge difference. In the first 10 days of August this year, compared to last year, these types of fires are 492% more. It’s field fires, grass fires, wildland fires – all those types of open fires, 492% increase this year.
He also said the Studland Peninsula fire could have been avoided. “It’s amazing that yesterday’s fire looks like it was started by a one-off barbecue. There can’t be many people in Britain who don’t know the advice at the moment is don’t bring a barbecue, don’t use a barbecue, especially disposable barbecues in these places like Studland Heath. That’s our message, bring a picnic – don’t bring a barbecue.
“Everything is under control; it’s a much better condition than yesterday [but] we will likely continue operations for the rest of the day. How much more, I can’t really say.
An official drought was declared in eight areas of England on Friday by the National Drought Group (NDG), which is made up of representatives from the government, water companies, the Environment Agency (EA) and others.
Fire crews in Derbyshire tackled a huge blaze in Creswell, Worksop. Footage shared online showed flames filling the horizon and large plumes of smoke in the sky above a residential area.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service are also battling fires on embankments next to a railway line in Matlock and near junction 26 of the M1.
The service said it was “planning for a busy weekend” with further fires and reiterated its call for people to refrain from lighting garden fires or using portable barbecues.
Around 35 firefighters were also sent to tackle a two-hectare blaze at Leyton Flats Wildlife Reserve in Waltham Forest, east London.
Add Comment