Dorset heath fire: 'Largest blaze in years' under control

Thick smoke was seen rising from the flames on the Dorset heathland

Firefighters have managed to contain a large heath fire that saw 20 homes evacuated.

Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the blaze on Canford Heath in Poole, Dorset, on Saturday evening.

More than 80 firefighters battled for hours to bring the flames under control while 16 residents sheltered in Ashdown Leisure Centre.

Dorset Police said it was investigating the cause of the fire and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

There were no reports of damage to property or injuries.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service (DWFRS) said on Sunday morning the incident was "now surrounded and under control".

Sgt Fern Graham said the cause of the fire remained undetermined and urged anyone who had been in the area at the time and had information to come forward.

She also appealed for mobile phone and dashcam footage.

Canford Heath is known for being the largest heathland in Dorset, and the largest lowland heath in the UK.

It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a part of the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area.

The scorched and blackened heath on Sunday

Ferndown Fire Station tweeted the blaze was "probably the largest fire in this location for a number of years", with 15 pumps, four water carriers and six off-road vehicles in attendance.

Elizabeth Leddy, 28, from Poole said: "The amount of smoke pluming out was like no heath fire I've seen before."

Wessex Water had been made aware of some supply issues in the area following the incident, DWFRS said, adding that residents should contact the supplier directly if problems continued.