Date: 1st July, 2024
Time: 5.50am
Description: 09:00
We were called at 5.50am (1 July) after a fire was discovered in the undergrowth. This is a large and well-developed fire, in an area where access is difficult due to the density of the foliage. In addition to our own crews, we have support from Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Eastleigh. It looks as though the fire may have been burning for some time before it broke through to become visible, but there’s no identified cause as yet; an investigation will start once the fire is under control. We are asking local people to avoid the area for safety, as there are lots of vehicle movements on the main access track.
11am update - area affected is approx 1.3 hectares. Good progress is being made in containing and extinguishing the fire, using a main jet, five hose reel jets and multiple beaters.
2.45pm update - the fire is contained and we’ve started to release some crews from the incident. A decision will be made towards the end of the afternoon about what we need to keep there into the evening and overnight.
5.30pm update - crews have worked hard to contain this deep-seated fire and we will be scaling back our attendance, although appliances will remain on site throughout the night. We would still urge local people to avoid the affected area.
8.30am update on 2 July
We left the scene at 10.15pm last night following a full visual inspection of the fireground. A crew from Verwood reattended at 7.15am this morning for a scheduled reinspection and are currently dealing with hotspots using knapsacks.
8pm update on 2 July
Following a further reinspection by a crew from Verwood, the incident was closed.
Location: St Stephens Ln, Verwood, UK