Firefighters tackling a forest fire have issued dramatic pictures from the scene – and confirmed they expect to remain in the area for days to come.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight County Fire and Rescue Service along with Forestry England attended the scene in Star Hill in Hartley Wintney, Hants, on Sunday, June 25.
When they first announced they were at the scene, at around 7pm, crews urged families in the Hampshire area to avoid the scene.
They later revealed 16 appliances – made up of fire engines and support vehicles – were involved in the efforts to contain the fire.
Around 15 hectares of woodland was said to have been caught up in the inferno.
Forestry England officers worked to create “fire breaks” to contain the flames.
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Multiple crews tackled a large fire in the open near Star Hill, Hartley Wintney.”
The service added: “Crews remain onsite of the fire at Hartley Wintney that has affected approx 15 hectares of woodland.
“Thank you to Forestry England who have been assisting to create fire breaks. Plans for overnight are being put in place.”
Hartley Witney Fire Station crews revealed they expect to remain “overnight and in the coming days”.
A spokesman said: “Multiple crews have spent the afternoon dealing with a large forest fire in Warren Heath Plantation, Star Hill H/W. Crews will remain on site overnight and in the coming days.
“At its height, this incident went ‘make pumps 16’ with numerous support appliances also attending.”
