Watch: Fire destroys Bournemouth beach huts
Popular beach huts on the seafront in Bournemouth have been destroyed in a mystery overnight blaze.
Despite the efforts of fire crews to bring the flames under control, six huts were razed by the fire with others damaged.
An investigation is now under way, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
A video of the fire taking place. Credit- Mark King. @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/NwiRNKPtuN
— Jess Skelton (@Jess_Journo_) May 27, 2025
The blaze broke out shortly before 1.20am in Undercliff Drive on Tuesday and raged until it was doused by 2.50am by firefighters.
Footage circulating on social media shows enormous flames engulfing the beach huts as clouds of smoke rise.
Emergency services can be seen spraying water on the fire as blue lights flash in the distance in the face of the flames.
Residents living nearby who were in danger of being affected by the smoke were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
The huts are believed to be owned and rented out annually by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council.
They are extremely popular with tourists and residents and a key staple of the promenade at the resort, which boasts seven miles of sand.
Britain's oldest public beach hut, which has been recognised with a blue plaque, was also badly damaged but is still standing. It was built in 1909 by borough engineer F P Dolamore.
A spokesman for the fire service said: 'We were called to East Beach, Undercliff Drive, Bournemouth at 1.20am this morning for a fire involving multiple beach huts.
'Crews attended from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park, together with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne. They found nine huts well alight, as well as an area of cliff approx 25m x 15m.
'Two main jets and four hose reel jets were used to extinguish the fire, and the stop was at 2.50am.
'The scene was handed over to BCP council, and investigations will continue today into what caused the fire.'
The huts, near Bournemouth Pier, attract huge rental fees each year and there is a waiting list to take one on when available.
It was not yet known whether the fire was suspicious.
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