CREWS FROM ACROSS COUNTY ATTEND BLAZE AT BEAUTY SPOT
A BLAZE at a beauty spot near the Surrey border was attended by 35 firefighters last week.
Crews from across Hampshire scrambled to Hawley Lake and Woods on Tuesday last week.
People were urged to avoid the Blackwater beauty spot as the inferno sent smoke billowing across the skyline. It led to Army personnel patrolling Hampshire’s open spaces on the lookout for more fires.
Crews say they were initially called to Hawley Lake at around 5.45pm. They began to scale back their operation at around 9.45pm before investigation work was carried out last Wednesday.
A spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: “More than 35 firefighters from Rushmoor, Fleet, Bordon, Hartley Wintney, Yateley, Odiham and Eastleigh were mobilised to a blaze after multiple calls to a large fire in the open at Hawley Lake, Blackwater, at 5.44pm.
“Two fires were discovered involving gorse land, the first reaching 300metres by 300m and the second reaching 10m by 20m in size. The area is considered a
Site of Special Scientific Interest. Crews used eight hose reels, four monitors and fire beaters to extinguish the fire. “The stop message for the Hawley Lake fire was received at 9.42pm. Both Natural England and the police were notified and in attendance.” Firefighters say it was one of six open fires they attended in the county on Tuesday last week. Crews tackling another fire at Yateley Heath could even see the Hawley Lake blaze.
Station manager Pete Knight commented: “We were called to several fires in the open yesterday within the local area.
“Control staff and crews from Rushmoor and across the county have worked tirelessly throughout the day to manage calls and extinguish the fires to protect the public, wildlife and the surrounding land.
“Crews tackling the fire at Yateley Heath could see the smoke from the Hawley Lake fire from a distance. “Crews at the Hawley Lake fire battled challenging conditions to bring the fire under control, and we appreciate their hard work.
“Army personnel continued hourly patrols throughout the night.”
Crews tackling the fire at Yateley Heath could see the smoke from the Hawley Lake fire from a distance Fire station manager Pete Knight