Crews fight wildfire in Suffolk as blaze reaches size of 200 football pitches

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The fire has grown in size to about 100 hectares, equivalent to about 200 football pitches.

An EDF spokesperson said the wildfire in Suffolk is currently “not affecting operations at Sizewell B power station”.

The energy supplier said they are “closely monitoring the situation” as crews continued to battle the fire.

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It is understood Sizewell B has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios including a fire on site.

Speaking to reporters during a visit in Cumbria, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “We’ve got the situation under close monitoring, and I’m receiving regular updates.

“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.”

Miatta Fahnbulleh, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, told LBC: "We're monitoring it really closely. Our fire and rescue service, which are world-class are on hand and we will work together really, really collaboratively to make sure that we're protecting households.

"People will be worried, and I understand that, and our job is to make sure that we're there and we're supporting and responding to them.

"But the reason why I'm so honoured to be doing this job is I'm very, very conscious that we are at that tipping point with climate."

Hundreds of people were evacuated from a holiday park overnight after the fire broke out on heathland in Suffolk during Britain’s fourth heatwave of the summer.

A major incident was declared after 90 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, which broke out about 5.30pm on Wednesday evening and has continued into Thursday morning.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said it was working hard to protect seaside holiday homes - with around 200 caravans evacuated overnight.

The blaze began near the Coastguard Cottages, which are National Trust properties on the Suffolk coastline, and authorities said is “spreading rapidly” south-west.

The blaze is around three miles from Sizewell B nuclear power plant but it is not thought to be in any danger.

Video footage showed plumes of smoke filling the sky as crews were dispatched to battle the blaze.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dan Davis urged the public to avoid the area if possible and keep windows and doors closed.

“Crews from Leiston attended the scene and were met with what is a large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire,” he said.

"The incident has subsequently been upgraded to a major incident.

“We currently have approximately 90 firefighters on scene working incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.”

Mr Davis added: “I’d like to provide reassurance that we are going to remain on scene until we bring this fire under control.”

In a separate incident around 120 firefighters were called to tackle fires in east London.

Some 60 firefighters spent over two hours bringing a fire that burned through 30 acres of grassland near Eastern Avenue West in Romford under control on Wednesday.

A further eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters also spent over an hour bringing another substantial grass fire near Southern Way, also in Romford, under control.

Britain is on high alert for 'exceptionally severe' wildfires, with parts of the country left bone-dry after weeks of hot weather.

Around half of England has been placed in drought. Some areas have not seen rain in 43 days and temperatures soared again to 34C yesterday.

A 50-year drought record from the long, hot summer of 1976 is now on the brink of being beaten.

It comes amid the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing an amber heat-health alert for the east midlands, the east, south east and London.

The alert remains in place until 9am on Thursday, with the agency previously warning that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Separately, in Scotland, crews said they were making “significant progress” tackling a wildfire in the Cairngorms that broke out two weeks ago.

A number of homes in the remote region were evacuated as plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, and vast swathes of trees, heather and grasslands have been left charred and blackened.

Speaking on the track on Wednesday, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deputy assistant chief officer Michael Humphreys told the Press Association that fire crews are making progress in tackling the blaze.

However, he warned the risk of flare-ups remains high.

“It’s been an absolutely devastating fire for wildlife and for the local community who have come out in force to really support us, which we really do appreciate,” he said.

“To control this fire, what we’ve had to put in place is a significant number of fire breaks.”

Angela Rayner has paid tribute to firefighters tackling a major wildfire in Suffolk.

In a video posted to social media, the Communities Secretary said: “I want to pay tribute to the brave firefighters that are tackling the wildfire in Suffolk. Thank you.

“Your skill and dedication and bravery is outstanding.

“My thoughts are also with the residents that have had to leave their homes. I know it’s incredibly difficult circumstances.

“The Prime Minister has made clear that the whole of Government will ensure that the fire and rescue services mutual aid and local services have all the resources they need.”