Multiple engines from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have been called to fires in Verwood on Wednesday afternoon.
Large amounts of smoke covered the Stephens Castle area and could be seen from all over the town around 5pm.
At the same time, a fire engine helped put out a fire at an address in the garden of Oaklands Close.
Fire over Verwood, Dorset pic.twitter.com/QqxmcBAqLT
— Dorset News (@eDorsetNews) May 31, 2023
The DWFRS told VerwoodToday: “We were called to St Stephen’s Lane, Verwood at 4.19pm this afternoon for a fire involving approx. 100m x 100m of thick gorse and heath. Because the fire is being driven by the wind, we currently have fire engines on scene from Verwood, Ringwood, Wimborne and Christchurch; together with small 4×4 appliances from Verwood, Cranborne, Wimborne, Ferndown and New Milton; the Unimog from Wareham; a water carrier from Poole; and a support appliance from Salisbury (approx. 35 firefighters). Crews are using multiple hose reel jets to contain and extinguish the fire.”
“There is smoke across the local area, so people should keep doors and windows closed if they are concerned. We would also ask people to stay away from the area while we bring the incident to a conclusion.”
It follows a smaller fire in the same area yesterday evening.
We’ll bring you more on this breaking story as we get it.
