Crews tackle heath blaze as temperatures soar

Emergency crews are at the scene of a heath fire in Dorset that started on Monday evening.

About 50 firefighters from nine stations tackled the blaze, reported at about 17:40 BST, near Winfrith Newburgh.

By 21:45, crews had put out the flames and left the area.

They returned earlier to check for hotspots, and the fire service said the incident resumed at 11:20 "after reports of a couple of areas of heathland smoking".

It comes as Yellow Heat Health Alert has been issued for many parts of England, including the south.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said Monday's fire affected a large area of heath and gorse.

The public have been urged to avoid the area.

Crews attended from Dorchester, Poole, Wareham, Weymouth, Swanage, Maiden Newton, Hamworthy, Portland and Blandford.

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