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Chobham Common wildfire evacuation warning | |
(32 minutes later) | |
A large wildfire is burning on heathland in Surrey amid soaring temperatures in the south east of England. | A large wildfire is burning on heathland in Surrey amid soaring temperatures in the south east of England. |
A huge plume of smoke could be seen rising from Chobham Common as multiple fire crews were sent to tackle the flames on Friday. | |
Firefighters tweeted that anyone in the area should leave immediately. | Firefighters tweeted that anyone in the area should leave immediately. |
The grass fire, which is larger than 40 hectares, has spread to Wentworth Golf Club. | |
Play was suspended at the club, with the Rose Ladies Series Grand Final brought to a halt, reported Sky Sports Golf. | |
Smoke from the fire was visible from over 10 miles away, with some people on social media had mistakenly thought it had come from Heathrow airport. | |
Trains are disrupted and motorists have been told to follow Surrey Police Twitter for road closure details. | Trains are disrupted and motorists have been told to follow Surrey Police Twitter for road closure details. |
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent 10 engines and 10 4x4 vehicles to help tackle the fire. | Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent 10 engines and 10 4x4 vehicles to help tackle the fire. |
"If you are on Chobham Common please evacuate the area immediately for your safety," the service said. | |
A spokesman for the fire service said the alert came at about 12:25 BST. | |
"Approximately 41 hectares of grass and undergrowth are alight," he said. | |
Surrey Search and Rescue have sent a drone up to monitor the fire and tweeted they had been called out to support the fire service on the heath. | Surrey Search and Rescue have sent a drone up to monitor the fire and tweeted they had been called out to support the fire service on the heath. |
Chobham Common is closed between Titlarks Hill Road and the roundabout with Windsor Road and Chertsey Road. | Chobham Common is closed between Titlarks Hill Road and the roundabout with Windsor Road and Chertsey Road. |
On its website, South Western Trains said a line was blocked at Longcross because of a fire next to the track and services may be cancelled, delayed or revised, with disruption expected until 20:00 BST. | On its website, South Western Trains said a line was blocked at Longcross because of a fire next to the track and services may be cancelled, delayed or revised, with disruption expected until 20:00 BST. |
The fire broke out as the UK was set for one of its hottest days on record, with temperatures reaching more than 36C (96.8F) in south-east England. | |
Surrey Fire Brigades Union has tweeted that the Surrey and neighbouring brigades are struggling to contain the fire in "arduous working conditions". |