Fire crews from around Dorset including Swanage Fire Station, have been tackling an extensive heath blaze caused by a disposable barbecue.
The fire started yesterday afternoon in Puddletown Forest, just north east of Dorchester, after a member of the public decided to have a barbecue and then it got out of control.
Ten appliances
The extent of the fire meant that ten appliances were called to the scene with crews from Swanage, Wimborne, Dorchester, Wareham, Poole, Hamworthy, Weymouth and Blandford.
The Swanage crew was initially mobilised to cover for the Wareham appliance that was tackling the fire, then at 6.05 pm on Sunday 26th April 2020, it was called to the scene and spent several hours dampening down the smoldering gorse.
Swanage Fire Station said:
“The fire is believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue, which is extremely careless at the best of times but even more so at the moment.”
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue added:
“This caused a large forest fire, burning gorse and heath and also destroyed wildlife. Please follow government guidance and only go outdoors when necessary, this will help us and prevent these damaging, resource-intensive fires starting.”
