Wildfire tears through Surrey nature reserve

People told to avoid area after firefighters were called to ‘major incident’ at Hankley Common

A major incident was declared in Surrey yesterday as a wildfire took over 20 acres of a nature reserve. Firefighters were called to Hankley Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Farnham, just after midday, with 19 vehicles attending. Surrey Fire and Rescue were helped by crews from West Sussex and Hampshire. People were told to stay away, roads were closed and residents were advised to close windows and doors, and to keep their pets inside.

A MAJOR incident was declared in Surrey yesterday as a wildfire took over 20 acres of a nature reserve.

Firefighters were called to Hankley Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Farnham, just after midday, with 19 vehicles attending. Surrey Fire and Rescue were helped by crews from West Sussex and Hampshire. People were told to stay “far away from the fire as it can travel quickly” and roads were closed.

The Surrey fire happened as the London Fire Brigade said it was fighting a “significant” number of weatherrelated fires over the weekend.

The smoke from the Surrey fire spread miles from its source. Visitors to the Thorpe Park theme park tweeted “I can barely breathe” and “the whole park is covered”.

Residents across west London also complained of smoke, with the runways of Heathrow Airport appearing cloudy because of it.

Hankley Common is 1,400-acres of woodland and heath, owned by the Ministry of Defence and used as a military training area.

The site is also regularly used as a filming location, which has included Marvel’s Black Widow, and James Bond films like The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Skyfall.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: “There is a great deal of smoke so please avoid the area, windows and doors should be closed if nearby and pets kept indoors.”

They added: “At this time the cause is unknown.

“Please help keep our outdoors safe: pack a picnic instead of a disposable bbq & dispose of cigarettes correctly.”

Meanwhile, another fire took out around 20 acres of land in Kent on Saturday, with a brave farmer attempting to protect his neighbour’s field.

Video footage showed Bill Alexander’s tractor ploughing through the remaining crops alongside the fire in Lenham Heath, as flames fast approached the vehicle.

Andy Barr, owner of the field, praised the “heroics” of his neighbour attempting to salvage his crops on Twitter.

Eight fire engines were reportedly called to the scene and firefighters spent 90 minutes putting out the blaze.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The blaze has been brought under control and put out.”

The field where the fire broke out is beside the M20, and plumes of white smoke were visible from the motorway.