This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-dorset-13716970
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Dorset heath fire 'biggest since 1976' | Dorset heath fire 'biggest since 1976' |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| About 200 firefighters have been tackling the largest heath fire in Dorset in 35 years, which put several homes at risk. | About 200 firefighters have been tackling the largest heath fire in Dorset in 35 years, which put several homes at risk. |
| Strong winds caused the fire, on about one sq km (247 acres) of Upton Heath, Poole, to spread rapidly. | |
| Homes were evacuated as crews tackled the fire from behind the properties. It has now been brought under control. | Homes were evacuated as crews tackled the fire from behind the properties. It has now been brought under control. |
| Four people were treated after breathing in smoke and one firefighter was taken to hospital with exhaustion. | Four people were treated after breathing in smoke and one firefighter was taken to hospital with exhaustion. |
| Another firefighter suffered minor burns to his arm, during what the fire service said was Dorset's biggest heath fire since 1976. | Another firefighter suffered minor burns to his arm, during what the fire service said was Dorset's biggest heath fire since 1976. |
| Crews in 30 engines, 11 Land Rovers and other support vehicles were called to the heath at about 1400 BST. | Crews in 30 engines, 11 Land Rovers and other support vehicles were called to the heath at about 1400 BST. |
| Homes in Beacon Road and Kingcup Close were among those evacuated. Properties in nearby Long Meadow Lane were also under threat at the height of the blaze. | Homes in Beacon Road and Kingcup Close were among those evacuated. Properties in nearby Long Meadow Lane were also under threat at the height of the blaze. |
| Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing but the fire service suggested it could have been started maliciously. | Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing but the fire service suggested it could have been started maliciously. |
| Two young people, believed to be teenagers, were seen fleeing from the scene by a member of the public. | Two young people, believed to be teenagers, were seen fleeing from the scene by a member of the public. |
| Olivia Graves, 12, was evacuated from her home in Kingcup Close with her mother and sister. | Olivia Graves, 12, was evacuated from her home in Kingcup Close with her mother and sister. |
| 'Thick orange smoke' | 'Thick orange smoke' |
| She said: "Police came and said we all had to leave. | She said: "Police came and said we all had to leave. |
| "There was thick orange smoke everywhere. | "There was thick orange smoke everywhere. |
| "When you breathed it in you could definitely feel it. The sky was orange and there were times when it went grey, white as well." | "When you breathed it in you could definitely feel it. The sky was orange and there were times when it went grey, white as well." |
| Her family has since been allowed to return home. | Her family has since been allowed to return home. |
| Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is urging members of the public to stay away from the heath. About 20 to 25 firefighters will remain at the scene overnight. | Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is urging members of the public to stay away from the heath. About 20 to 25 firefighters will remain at the scene overnight. |
| More crews are due to return in the morning to dampen down the area. | More crews are due to return in the morning to dampen down the area. |
| Earlier, residents were warned to leave their property if smoke or fire entered their back garden. | Earlier, residents were warned to leave their property if smoke or fire entered their back garden. |
| Area Commander Keith Bacon had said: "This is a very serious fire and we would encourage anyone in properties surrounding the heath to leave their property if smoke or fire enters their back garden. | Area Commander Keith Bacon had said: "This is a very serious fire and we would encourage anyone in properties surrounding the heath to leave their property if smoke or fire enters their back garden. |
| "Four members of the public have been treated by ambulance staff at the scene for smoke inhalation. | "Four members of the public have been treated by ambulance staff at the scene for smoke inhalation. |
| "Unfortunately one firefighter has gone to hospital as a precautionary measure because he was suffering from extreme exhaustion, another firefighter has received medical attention due to minor burns to his arm." | "Unfortunately one firefighter has gone to hospital as a precautionary measure because he was suffering from extreme exhaustion, another firefighter has received medical attention due to minor burns to his arm." |
| Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles around and at one point was blowing across parts of the A35. | Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles around and at one point was blowing across parts of the A35. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the blaze? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the blaze? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |