Latest news with #DorsetWiltshireFireRescue
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Homes evacuated and major incident declared as wildfire spreads near Bournemouth
A major incident has been declared as about 100 firefighters are tackling a fire ripping through Holt Heath in Bournemouth. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue are fighting to control the blaze which broke out near Wimbourne just after 11am this morning. Locals have been advised to stay clear of the area and 20 homes have been evacuated as residents are being ordered to keep their windows and doors shut. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service are currently also fighting another blaze at Newton Heath, near Swanage, which broke out last Sunday on August 3 and is the size of about 35 football pitches. Darren Langdown, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's assistant chief fire officer, said the force was 'extremely grateful' to neighbouring services from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have helped battle the fire. Langdown said: 'We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources.' He also urged the public not to fly drones near the fire, as it could interfere with those currently being used by the fire service crews. The Holt Heath fire, which covers an area about 1000m x 800m, has resulted in road closures in Holt Heath village and at the junction between Holt Road and Higher Road. Windy conditions are said to be making the fire harder to tackle, as firefighters are trying to surround the area to prevent it spreading further. Residents compared the scene to a 'horror movie' and dog walkers quickly fled the scene as people miles away spotted billowing smoke from the Heath. One dog walker, Marcus Lastra, told the Bournemouth Echo that he witnessed the fire start as smoke rising in the distance, before quickly growing into a huge fire. Lastra said: 'Because it's an open area, the flames spread very quickly in the wind. In those moments before the fire brigade got there, it had really taken hold. 'They started spraying parts of it, but then another section caught fire an it just spread and spread. 'There was mayhem on the main road because people were stopping to take pictures.' Chloe Mountford, from Northbourne, said that her husband first spotted it from their son's bedroom window. She said: 'We're in Northbourne, so it's a long way away too but we could still see the smoke from our house's window. 'It's on a hill, so you could see it straight away. Every time the breeze went past, you'd see it's all showing and it's all getting bigger. Four hours later it was still about the same, with a lot of smoke.' Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service said: 'We are currently dealing with a large fire at Holt Heath. 'This fire is spreading quickly and we strongly advise people to stay away from the area for their own safety. 'If you are a local resident you are advised to keep doors and windows closed.' Whilst the Newton Heath fire is thought to have been started deliberately, is not yet clear how the blaze at Holt Heath began.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Major incident declared as crews tackle two blazes
A major incident has been declared and 20 homes evacuated near Holt Heath as fire crews tackle two large heath fires in Dorset. More than 100 firefighters are battling the blaze at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, which broke out at about 11:10 BST. Firefighters also remain at Newton Heath, near Swanage, tackling a heath fire about the size of 35 football pitches that has been burning since last Sunday. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's assistant chief fire officer Darren Langdown said: "We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources." About 20 homes near the fire have been evacuated as a precaution and residents are being advised to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke, which is visible from some miles away. The Holt Road has been closed at the junction with Higher Road, as well as in Holt Heath village near the pub. Mr Langdown urged the public to help by "staying away from the affected areas" and asked photographers not to fly drones near the fire. The windy conditions are fanning the flames and causing rapid fire spread, said the fire service. Firefighters from neighbouring fire stations in Hampshire & Isle of Wight and Devon & Somerset have been helping to try to prevent the flames from spreading. Mr Langdown said he was "extremely grateful" to neighbouring services for their support and praised them for "working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control". While the fire at Newton Heath is believed to have been started deliberately, the fire service said the cause of the fire at Holt Heath was currently unknown. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story 'Stay away' plea as fast-moving heath fire breaks out Related Links Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
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John Parsons Firefighters were called to Holt Heath after smoke was spotted on Saturday morning A major incident has been declared and 20 homes evacuated near Holt Heath as fire crews tackle two large heath fires in Dorset. More than 100 firefighters are battling the blaze at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, which broke out at about 11:10 BST. Firefighters also remain at Newton Heath, near Swanage, tackling a heath fire about the size of 35 football pitches that has been burning since last Sunday. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's assistant chief fire officer Darren Langdown said: "We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources." John Parsons The fire crew said the fire was moving quickly About 20 homes near the fire have been evacuated as a precaution and residents are being advised to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke, which is visible from some miles away. The Holt Road has been closed at the junction with Higher Road, as well as in Holt Heath village near the pub. Mr Langdown urged the public to help by "staying away from the affected areas" and asked photographers not to fly drones near the fire. The windy conditions are fanning the flames and causing rapid fire spread, said the fire service. The smoke plume from the fire seen from Tarrant Rushton Airfield about eight miles (13km) away from the fire Firefighters from neighbouring fire stations in Hampshire & Isle of Wight and Devon & Somerset have been helping to try to prevent the flames from spreading. Mr Langdown said he was "extremely grateful" to neighbouring services for their support and praised them for "working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control". While the fire at Newton Heath is believed to have been started deliberately, the fire service said the cause of the fire at Holt Heath was currently unknown. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story 'Stay away' plea as fast-moving heath fire breaks out Related Links Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Man arrested after fire at Bournemouth International Centre
A MAN has been arrested following the fire at the Bournemouth International Centre last night. Police said just after 10pm last night: "At 7.38pm on Monday 4 July 2025, we received a report from the fire service of a fire at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) in Exeter Road in Bournemouth. "Officers are currently in attendance to assist Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. "Following fast-time enquiries, this is being treated as suspicious, and a 38-year-old man has been arrested at the scene on suspicion of arson. He is in police custody at this time. "No injuries have been reported." LIVE: Bournemouth International Centre blaze: Firefighters launch investigation PICTURES: Fire services descend on Bournemouth International Centre (Image: Caroline Cox)Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service told the Echo: "We were called at 7.34pm today to Exeter Road, Bournemouth to reports of a fire affecting the external of a building. "Three crews from Springbourne, Westbourne and Redhill Park along with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne are currently in attendance. Two breathing apparatus wearers are using two hose reel jets to extinguish and a large fan for smoke logging."
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Arson arrest after fire at Bournemouth International Centre
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).The fire in the outside roof fascia at the performance and events venue at the seaside resort in Exeter Road broke out on Monday at about 19:30 Police said the fire was believed to be suspicious and a 38-year-old man arrested at the scene remained in police & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue crews from three stations put the fire out and left the venue by about 21:30. A police cordon remains in place at the venue. No injuries were are ongoing into the cause of the on social media showed smoke and flames coming from the seafront-facing side of the BIC opening in 1984 and is Bournemouth's main entertainment complex, regularly hosting large-scale events including concerts and the main political party venue has no events listed over the coming weeks. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
