Wildfire warning issued after blaze on common

The fire burned across approximately five hectares of woodland and gorse, said the fire service

Firefighters have warned of the risk of wildfires in warm and dry weather after a blaze in north Hampshire.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Eversley Common, near Basingstoke, at around 16:00 BST on Saturday.

Crews used beaters and hose reels to tackle the fire, which covered about five hectares of woodland and gorse.

It took more than five hours, two fire engines, multiple 4×4 vehicles, water carriers and support from forces in Surrey and Berkshire to extinguish the blaze.

The cause of the fire was unknown but crews from Hampshire were due to return to the site on Sunday to check for hotspots, said the fire service.