Fire crews say a large heathland wildfire near Sizewell B is 'stabilising' as operations enter a third day. More than 100 firefighters, helicopters and multiple engines are deployed to Dunwich Heath, with at least 12 appliances staying overnight. Around 150 hectares have burned and roughly 50 people were evacuated to a rest centre in Westleton. Authorities report no current threat to Sizewell B or the Sizewell C site, and an investigation into the cause is under way.
Wildfire Near Sizewell B 'Stabilising' As Crews Enter Third Day — No Current Threat To Nuclear Site
Smoke rises from a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, where a major incident is declared, with firefighters battling a large heathland blaze on the Suffolk coast. (is associated with: «Firefighters optimistic as they continue to tackle UK wildfire») Joe Giddens/PA Wire/dpa
Fire crews fighting a large wildfire across Dunwich Heath, near Leiston in Suffolk, say the blaze is 'stabilising' as operations enter a third day. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service reported an improved position late on Thursday, while warning the incident remains dynamic and closely monitored.
Current Situation
Crews and officers remained at the scene overnight and maintained a watching brief during hours of darkness. More than 100 firefighters, supported by helicopters and multiple appliances, have been deployed to tackle several active fire fronts and prevent any reignition.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henry Griffin said an investigation into the cause is under way and that the situation had 'stabilised'. He added: 'We have a couple of fire fronts we are actively monitoring, checking on wind speed and wind direction to make sure any reignition is controlled and monitored throughout the coming hours.'
Resources And Tactics
At least 12 fire engines were scheduled to remain at the scene overnight to manage smaller outbreaks. Earlier in the response, around 18 engines and more than 100 firefighters were reported on site, and six appliances from London Fire Brigade were called in to bolster local resources. Tactics include filling trenches with water and helicopter drops of thousands of litres of seawater.
The affected area has been estimated at roughly 150 hectares — about 210 football pitches. Authorities said the fire is a few miles from the Sizewell B nuclear power station and the Sizewell C construction site, but there is currently no concern that the blaze will spread to either site.
Impact On People And Services
Approximately 50 people were evacuated from their homes and a local holiday park and escorted to Westleton, where the village hall is operating as a rest centre. Local residents have opened their homes to those displaced, and only a small number remained in the rest centre overnight. Power was reported restored to 111 of the 116 properties affected by earlier outages.
Freddie Gulliver from the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit praised the local community for its support and said the service was confident in its operational approach.
Regional figures, including Andy Burnham, have pledged that fire services will receive the support they require. The investigation into the cause of the fire continues as crews work to keep the blaze contained and reduce risk of further spread.
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