Homes and caravan park evacuated due to major heath fire in Suffolk

In a picture taken at ground level, grey smoke is drifting from the left to the right of the frame. There is grassland in the foreground. — Image caption,

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston

ByRachael McMenemy, Jon Welch and Toby Mann

Homes and a caravan park have been evacuated after a large wildfire broke out on heathland on the Suffolk coast, with a major incident declared.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said about 90 firefighters were tackling the blaze at its peak and had been “working incredibly hard in arduous conditions” to bring under control a “large-scale, wind-driven” fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon.

A major incident has been declared “due to the size and complexity” of the blaze, which is spreading rapidly south-west towards St James’s Church, off Westleton Road, the fire service said.

Authorities have urged people to avoid the area and keep windows and doors shut.

In a picture taken from the air, smoke is drifting from right to left from a wooded area. A large area of open ground is in the foreground, and the sea is at the top of the picture. — Image caption,

The fire service said the blaze was spreading south-west

The fire service said it had been working to protect properties including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm and Cliff House Holiday Park, but all had been evacuated overnight.

Up to 200 caravans are being prepared for evacuation, but the exact number of people affected is not known.

The fire comes as the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London.

The Environment Agency (EA) announced on Wednesday that the East of England, including Suffolk, was part of an area in England where drought was declared.

Droughts bring with them a high risk of wildfires, the EA warned.

Much of the area is a nature reserve owned by the National Trust, which said it was assisting firefighters.

The area is also close to the RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.

Both National Trust Dunwich Heath and the nature reserve have been closed.

It asked people to avoid Westleton Heath, Mount Pleasant, Westleton Walks and the main bridleway from the entrance road towards Dunwich.

The fire service said crews are using equipment including off-road vehicles, drones and quad bikes.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles,” it said.

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