Firefighters tackle large blaze at Thetford Forest

A large fire has broken out at Thetford Forest.

The blaze began at about 13:40 BST off the B1107 near Kingfisher Lake and has spread to over 30 acres of land.

The fire service said nine fire engines and other vehicles and 75 firefighters had been tackling the blaze.

The Forestry Commission said the hot weather was a "contributing factor" and warned forest users not to light barbecues or discard cigarettes.

A fire service spokeswoman said 37 fire officers were tackling the blaze

Roger Woods, communications manager for the Forestry Commission, said: "The weather is obviously a contributing factor.

"We are on a state of high alert and because of the hot weather we are asking people not to have fires or barbecues. Throwing away a cigarette in the forest is also something that shouldn't be done. In this weather a little bit of glass could reflect the sun and start a fire."

The site is Forestry Commission land and was planted with Corsican pine in 1988.

A Fire Service spokeswoman said 37 fire officers were tackling the blaze.

Fire hit an area of the equivalent of 30 football pitches

The blaze began at about 13:40 BST off the B1107 near Kingfisher Lake

An ambulance is also on standby at the scene.