Summary

  • A Suffolk wildfire burning an area equivalent to the size of 140 football pitches is not yet under control, Suffolk fire service says

  • The fire is no risk to nearby nuclear power station Sizewell B, Suffolk's fire chief says - operator EDF says it is "closely monitoring the situation"

  • The blaze broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday, with a major incident declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze

  • A nearby caravan park and holiday park have been evacuated, as one park manager says "we're still on full alert" - no injuries have been reported so far

  • Rob and Lisa Gordon, who were on holiday on the Suffolk coast before being evacuated last night, say: "We've just got the clothes we were standing in really"

  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he'll make sure the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has all the support it needs

Have you been affected?

Live Reporting

Edited by Peter Walker with writing by Rachael McMenemy and Alice Cunningham, and reporters at the scene

  1. What do we know so far?

    It has now been almost 24 hours since firefighters were called to Dunwich Heath.

    Here is what we know so far:

    • The fire service was called at 17:00 BST on Wednesday to Dunwich Heath
    • During a meeting at Westleton Village Hall at 13:30 BST, Jon Lacey, the chief fire officer, said the blaze remained out of control and while not getting any bigger, was spreading inland
    • Prime Minister Andy Burnham says the fire service will have "all the support" it needs
    • More than 100 firefighters remain at the scene and the fire service is expected to say for the next 24 to 36 hours
    • The Salvation Army is giving out food and drink to local people affected
    • Nearby caravan and holiday parks have been evacuated and no injuries have been reported
    • The fire is not affecting Sizewell B or C, but EDF is monitoring the situation
    The back of a woman in black police uniform. White smoke drifts across a single lane, with bushes either side on the steep banks.Reuters

  2. UK should prepare for more severe wildfires - National Trust

    Emaan Warraich
    BBC News

    The National Trust's Director-General, Hilary McGrady, said the UK should prepare for more frequent and severe wildfires, as countries including France and Spain continue to respond to major blazes. She called on the government to strengthen its approach to tackling climate change.

    McGrady said: "We've all been watching in horror as our neighbours in Europe are battling the most extreme fires. Fires like these might once have seemed unthinkable in Europe and the UK - but that certainty is gone.

    "So we need action and we need political will. We must adapt, urgently, to these conditions."

  3. Council shares images of firefighters tackling blaze

    Firefighters in heathland where they are tackling wildfires. Fires burn in the distance causing thick black smoke to billow into the air.Suffolk County Council

    Scenes from part of Dunwich Heath where the fire has burned through have been shared by Suffolk County Council.

    The fire, which started at 1730 yesterday, continues to burn and the fire service says there are 100 firefighters still at the scene and crews are expected to remain there for at least next 24 hours.

    Two firefighters use water hoses to dampen down heathland that has been on fire.Suffolk County Council

  4. 'Devastated' for communities says fire chief

    Vikki Irwin
    in Westleton

    Chief fire officer John Lacey at Westleton Village Hall says it is too early to say at the moment if more people will need to be evacuated around Dunwich.

    He adds that the fire is not getting any bigger, but it is travelling in-land.

    "I am devastated for the communities that are affected by this," he adds.

  5. Prime minister pledges support

    A picture of Andy Burnham from the shoulders up. He is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie, has thick-rimmed black glasses on, and has short, dark brown hair. The background behind him is blurred and he is looking forward with his mouth slightly open and his eyebrows raised.Getty Images

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will have "all the support" it needs to deal with the wildfire at Dunwich.

    "We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates," he says.

    “It is a very serious incident. I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, the other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear.”

  6. Fire still not under control, says fire chief

    A fire chief wearing a white shirt and black trousers stands in front of various microphones. He has his hands behind his back. He has short dark hair. There are journalists standing in front of him listening.Christina McSorley/BBC

    Chief fire officer Jon Lacey from Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service says the fire is still not under control and that "dozens" of people have been evacuated from their homes and the caravan park.

    In total 61 names have been registered at Westleton Village Hall where a rest centre has been established.

    He expects crews to remain at the scene for the next 24 to 36 hours, with 120 firefighters and 18 fire engines currently on the scene.

    Lacey reiterates that there is no risk to nearby Sizewell B or C.

  7. BBC Verify

    What satellite data says about wildfire's size and spread

    By Alex Murray and Barbara Metzler

    BBC Verify has been looking into what satellite imagery and other data can tell us about the wildfire’s impact and spread.

    Data from European wildfire detection platform EFFIS suggests at least 85 hectares has been burned so far.

    Suffolk County Council has just said about 100 hectares is currently burning. This discrepancy can be explained by the fact the satellite data is currently low resolution and therefore may not show the full detail on the ground yet.

    A satellite map of the wildfire on the suffolk coast, it shows a large red circle area that has ben burned near the sea. A locator on the right shows an area of 85 hectares has been estimated burned in the 7 days.EFFIS

    We have also examined what Nasa’s fire-detection platform FIRMS can tell us about the blaze.

    The first detection was yesterday at around 20:30 BST. This is more than three hours after the fire reportedly started, as it can take some time for a fire to grow enough to be detected.

    Because FIRMS looks for differences in heat levels on the Earth’s surface, some of these thermal anomalies appear to be over the sea - or places on land which are not necessarily burning - as the wind pushes extremely hot air and smoke away from the fire itself.

    A satellite map of the Suffolk coast. Thermal anomolies are marked by red, yellow and orange rectangles. A large area is obscured by them, including over the water.Nasa FIRMS

  8. 'We've just got the clothes we were standing in'

    Vikki Irwin
    in Westleton

    A man and a woman sit next to each other on chairs outside a building. They are smiling at the camera. The woman has short blonde hair and has a black dog on her lap. She is also wearing a red dress with white flowers on it. The man has short hair and wears a light brown polo top. He is holding a cup of coffee.Vikki Irwin/BBC

    Rob Gordon had been staying at Cliff House Holiday Park with his wife Lisa before they were evacuated on Wednesday night.

    He says the police arrived at about 22:00 BST and escorted them to Westleton.

    "We'd been out that lunchtime, drinking and eating in a bar," he says.

    "Obviously we couldn't take my car, so we had to get escorted out by the police.

    "Barry, a very kind gentleman has put us up in his cottage last night and for tonight so we're being well looked after, but obviously we would rather be getting on with our holiday.

    "We've just got the clothes we were standing in really."

  9. 'It's an absolutely heartbreaking situation'

    James Kelly
    Your Voice

    Smoke fills the evening sky with trees in the backgroundCandida Cook

    Candida Cook was evacuated from Cliff House Holiday Park last night as the Dunwich Heath wildfire spread.

    Earlier in the day, she noticed a burning smell during a beachside walk but couldn't see any smoke and wasn't sure where it was coming from.

    "We were left wondering if, and how, we could have reported the smell of smoke in the morning, and, more worryingly, whether it would have made a difference," says Candida, who lives in Framlingham.

    "The park, campers and organisers were impressively calm throughout and kept everyone in the cabins well informed. It's an absolutely heartbreaking situation."

  10. Support needed, says fire chief

    Speaking to the BBC earlier, Jon Lacey explained why extra firefighters and resources were needed from elsewhere in the UK.

    "A fire of this scale - it starts to eat up fire resources within Suffolk and we need to maintain business as usual for other kinds of incidents that occur and we're unable to do that at the moment satisfactorily."

    Jon Lacey stands in front of a red background with the yellow Suffolk fire and rescue badge on it. He is wearing a white shirt and black tie.Suffolk County Council
    The backs of people's heads sitting on rows of blue chairs, in a hall. At the front is a man in white fire officer uniform.Vikki Irwin/BBC

  11. National Trust 'heartbroken'

    Russell Clement, general manager for the National Trust on the Suffolk coast, says the fire spread across Dunwich Heath due to a change in wind conditions overnight.

    He say: "Sadly, the picture that's emerging is that the landscape has been significantly damaged, which will also have a knock-on impact on the wildlife that call Dunwich home.

    "This is obviously heartbreaking news, as so many people will have fond memories of this precious landscape, which is normally covered in purple heather at this time of year."

    Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston.PA Media

  12. Hot dogs and cold drinks

    A red Salvation Army Emergency Response Vehicle. A man is leaning over it open hatch passing drinks to two firefighters. They are leaning up to receive them.Salvation Army

    The devastating fire has been bringing out the best in local people.

    The Salvation Army emergency response vehicle was first called at about 19:00 BST and stayed on site until 02:30. It was called again at about 06:00.

    Tom Stokes, a volunteer for the charity, says the team has been giving out hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks to the firefighters, from its mobile canteen.

    He lives in Stowmarket and arrived at about 08:15 today, joined by up to 20 fellow volunteers. He expects to remain there until teatime.

    "We've served about 120 people and are still going strong," he says.

    "Everyone's really thankful for us for turning up as we're getting a lot of joy out of that - and chatting to them to break up their day."

  13. Nearby caravan park fully evacuated

    Liz Hatten, the manager of the caravan park Dunwich Cliffs Estate in the area, says on Wednesday night she received a message from the park's wardens with reports of smoke before they were told to evacuate.

    She says about 50% of their 137 caravans were occupied and visitors were sent to Westleton.

    It has been "terrifying" for all of them as the park is surrounded by heathland, she explains.

    "We're still on full alert," says Hatten.

    "We've asked if we could go back there to pick up medicines and they've said absolutely not.

    "Just past us is the National Trust land and that's where the fire is at the moment.

    "The wind is in the right direction and it's blowing everything away from us."

    Hattens adds that she has seen local farmers at the scene helping to make fire breaks and local roads have been shut.

  14. Pictures show challenge facing firefighters

    Images coming in today and overnight show the scale of the raging Suffolk wildfire - officials say it is now burning an area the size of 140 football pitches.

    Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich HeathPA Media
    Screen grab taken from video provided by Ryan Lovejoy of the wildfire at Dunwich HeathPA Media
    Dry grass and green bushes are in the foreground. Three firefighters wearing brown and yellow uniforms stand near smoke billowing into the skySuffolk Fire and Rescue Service

  15. Fire crews 'tired and worn out'

    Lacey says national help is being requested as Suffolk crews are "tired and worn out" after about 20 hours spent tackling this blaze.

    Those gathered in the hall erupted into applause to show their appreciation for the firefighters.

    Dozens of people sit in seats in a town hall. A camera operator wear a black T-shirt and pointing a camera is to the left.Vikki Irwin/BBC

  16. Fire service requests national help

    Chief fire officer Jon Lacey is talking to those affected by the blaze at Westleton Village Hall.

    He says the fire is "still challenging" and "national assets" have been requested to help.

    Local authorities, including Suffolk County Council, will provide help to those evacuated, he tells them.

  17. 'It just got worse and worse'

    Rozina Sini
    Your Voice

    In the foreground is heathland grass, and in the distance is billowing white smoke, against a blue sky.Kevin Maginnis

    I've just spoken to Kevin Maginnis from London.

    He was staying in a caravan with his family and pets at the Dunwich Cliffs Estate and had to be evacuated last night.

    He says he saw the smoke and "it just got worse and worse". Then, at 23:00, they were told to evacuate.

    "Luckily we had friends in Southwold so we all decamped and headed there for the night," he says.

    Maginnis and his family drove back to London this morning, but say they will eventually have to return to the caravan to close it down and remove the food inside.

    "I am hoping that the caravan will be OK," he says. "It will be quite devastating if not."

    Your Voice banner

  18. Fire service to provide update

    John Lacey, the chief fire officer, is expected to give an update to those evacuated at Westleton Village Hall shortly.

    The village hall is being used as a relief centre for people who have been evacuated from homes and caravans.

  19. Fire not affecting Sizewell B

    As for Sizewell B, which is operational, managers have made efforts to reassure the public.

    A spokesperson for EDF confirms the fire is "not affecting operations" and they are "closely monitoring the situation".

    It is understood Sizewell B, located near Dunwich Heath, has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios - including in the event of a fire at the site.

    Liz Quickenden sent us this picture from Wednesday evening, showing white billowing smoke in the distance.

    She describes the effect of the blaze on wildlife as "unbelievably sad".

    A stony beach in the foreground, and the white dome of a power plant to the left. In the distance, white smoke billows towards the sea, which is to the right of the frame.Liz Quickenden

    EDF says the fire is not affecting operations at Sizewell B (pictured to the left)

  20. Fire poses 'low risk' to Sizewell C

    White smoke billows behind a scene of cranes, and a stone beach is in the foreground.Liz Quickenden

    On Wednesday evening, smoke could be seen billowing from beyond the construction of Sizewell C - but from several miles away

    Sizewell C says the fire is currently posing a "low risk" to its site due to the distance and the watercourses in between.

    The nuclear power station is currently being built and expected to be operational in the mid to late 2030s.

    It is separate to Sizewell B, which is operational.

    "We are closely monitoring the fire at Dunwich Heath," they explain.

    "Our sites and offices remain open and operating as normal.

    "We are continuously assessing smoke conditions and any impacts on the road network to help keep people safe and ensure emergency services have priority access."

    Its teams are ready to work with the community, emergency services and local councils, they add.