A huge wildfire has broken out in Hampshire after a van burst into flames on a major A-road.
Flames from a vehicle fire on the A31 quickly spread to nearby heathland, sending smoke billowing into the sky which could be seen for miles around.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said it received more than 160 emergency calls reporting the fire at about 5.24pm on Sunday.
It scrambled 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and several command vehicles to the scene near Ringwood to try and contain the inferno.
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The fire service said: “The fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland.
“Crews from across Hampshire, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident.”
Around 24 miles away in Holbury, Hampshire crews were despatched to another “significant” blaze, where bungalows and vehicles on Rollestone Road caught fire after flames spread from a hedgerow.
Earlier in the East Midlands, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident as its crews had to battle two wildfires near Mansfield.
One fire initially broke out at Strawberry Hill Heath at about 2pm on Saturday, with 12 crews tackling the blaze at its height.
Eight fire engines were still at the site on Sunday – while six others and a water carrier were deployed to a second blaze which broke out at Sherwood Pines.
More to follow…
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