Overnight Crews Remain on Scene as Blaze Forces Evacuations

Firefighting operations are set to carry on through

Firefighting operations are set to carry on through the night in the New Forest after a major blaze broke out on Sunday, prompting residents to flee and leaving several vehicles stranded. One evacuee described the terrifying moment she feared her family's car would catch fire as the flames rapidly advanced.

Emergency services were called to the scene in the late afternoon, with thick smoke visible from miles away. Crews from multiple stations have been working in shifts to contain the spread, using specialist equipment to tackle the fire across dry heathland and woodland. A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed that no injuries have been reported so far, but urged the public to avoid the area.

The woman, who declined to give her name, recounted how she and her family were forced to abandon their vehicle in a hurry. “We just grabbed what we could and ran,” she said. “Looking back, I saw the flames getting closer to the car, and I honestly thought it was going to go up at any second.” The car was later recovered, though it sustained minor heat damage.

Local authorities have set up a temporary rest

Local authorities have set up a temporary rest center for those displaced, and are working to reunite owners with their vehicles. Police have closed several roads in the vicinity, and a number of cars remain abandoned on the roadside as firefighters prioritize containing the blaze.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, though early indications suggest it may have started accidentally. With dry conditions and strong winds forecast for the coming days, officials are warning of an elevated risk of further incidents and are asking visitors to exercise extreme caution in the area.