Campfire starts forest clearing blaze

Forestry England believe the fire was started by a campfire which got out of control

A campfire which spread and scorched a forest clearing has sparked a warning to visitors.

Wednesday's fire, which was spotted at Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, at 08:54 BST, blazed for two hours.

Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to identify the site of the fire before it was quickly contained.

A spokesperson for Forestry England said "cold picnics are welcome" but barbeques were not allowed in Hamsterley Forest.

"The fire was started as a campfire in the ground and was left to spread," a post from the agency on social media said.

It said a member of the public spotted and reported the blaze and the Forestry England duty team helped emergency services get the situation under control.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue said it sent one engine and firefighters used "pack gliders, shovels, and thermal imaging cameras to put out the area of vegetation which was on fire".