Holidaymakers are being advised to avoid a famous Devon beach after a raging fire broke out this afternoon, adding to the UK’s drought-related misery.
The big heath fire, which began near Knoll Beach, is now spreading over Dorset’s Studland peninsula. Cars were ordered to vacate the chain ferry, which normally transports visitors, to enable fire engines to combat the flames.
The ferry service in upscale Sandbanks, which is home to numerous billionaires, including Harry Redknapp, has been discontinued till further notice.
‘Ferry Road is blocked owing to a major fire in Stutland,’ the firm announced on social media. Emergency personnel are only allowing individuals to leave the Studland Peninsula; the route on the Studland side is fully blocked.’
The fire, which began shortly after 1pm, could be seen on the opposite side of Poole Harbour when at least four fire units arrived.
‘Within minutes, we saw fire engines and an ambulance,’ claimed one witness, Becky Wood. The boat was almost completely packed, and they had to get all of the automobiles to back off the ship so that the fire trucks and ambulance could carry them across.’
Witnesses were taken aback by how rapidly the fire burned across the Dorset nature reserve, which is next to a nude beach. ‘They’ve blocked off the Poole side and there is no traffic permitted across to Swanage, they’re simply redirecting traffic and cleaning the area,’ Ms Wood said.
‘It seems to be deteriorating. We could only see smoke at first since it was behind Shell Bay, but within 15 minutes it had spread and we could see flames. We were all taken aback by how rapidly the fire spread.
‘I believe it’s better if everyone avoids the area since they’ll be working for a long.’
Local buses have also been forced to halt service as the fire rages across the nature reserve.
‘UPDATE – Breezer 50 – Due to a fire at Studland and the ferry being halted, the Breezer 50 will detour by road both ways,’ Morebus announced on Twitter. At this time, we will not be providing any stops between ULWELL and the Ferry Terminal.’
‘We were called to Studland Heath at 1.12pm for a significant fire including undergrowth and gorse,’ said a spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.
‘We have personnel from Springbourne, Poole, Westbourne, and Swanage on the ground, with more on the way.’
‘For their own safety, we are requesting people to evacuate the heath and avoid Ferry Road.’
Due to the dry weather and hot temperatures, a red warning for flames was issued for Dorset only yesterday.
Today, swaths of England are officially declared drought, with blistering temperatures and no rain since June.