New Forest is on high alert after a lorry fire spread to the dry heathland along the A31, forcing families to drive through flames to escape.
Dozens of fire engines and crews continue to tackle a blaze near the major road after it overwhelmed parts of the Hampshire beauty spot yesterday evening.
Flames began to spread after an HGV fire, quickly latching onto the bone-dry shrubs and grass on the verges.
Dramatic footage shows motorists evacuating from their vehicles after the fire spread on both sides of the busy road, with thick smoke seen for miles.
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A police officer was heard telling people to move to the central reservation ‘if you want to stay alive.’
Motorists at the scene said the fire happened fast and some drivers ‘just went straight through the flames.’
Libbi Aldred, 36, told the Daily Mail how the road was suddenly filled with smoke and flames, with cars in front of her putting their hazard lights on.
She said a grandfather with his grandchildren in the car with him saw some vehicles in front of them go through the blaze and ‘the flames were hitting’ them.
The initial fire started around a mile from the Canadian War Memorial northeast of Shobley.
Houses in the area were not evacuated last night, and if the situation changes, residents would be contacted directly, the fire service said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service said: ‘Firefighters continue to tackle the fire affecting heathland near the A31 and will remain on site for the foreseeable future. We continue to have a significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control.
‘Fires in the countryside can be particularly challenging for firefighters, especially when it comes to getting sufficient water to the incident. To support our firefighting operations, we plan to use a high-volume pump to draw water from Hightown Lake in Ringwood and transport it to the incident.
‘This operation will involve laying a significant length of hose between Hightown Lake and the fire. In some locations, hoses may need to pass across or through private properties to reach the incident. Residents whose properties may be affected will be contacted directly by our crews, and we will work with them to minimise any disruption.
‘We understand residents in the area may be concerned. At present, there is no need for any properties to be evacuated. Should this situation change, affected households will be contacted directly. We will also provide updates through our social media channels.’
There is also another ‘significant fire’ around 24 miles from the A31 scene in Holbury after bungalows and vehicles caught on fire on Rollestone Road, Ringwood.
The flames engulfed a hedgerow outside a home before spreading to two vehicles on a driveway and two nearby bungalows.
The fifth heatwave of the season is adding to the headache for firefighters across England, with most of the country enduring drought conditions.
London is slated for 36C later this week as temperatures begin to soar again, with new heat health alerts issued.
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