Major Wildfire Breaks Out on Hankley Common in Surrey Amid 33°C Heatwave
A large wildfire has broken out on Hankley Common in Thursley, Surrey, as the UK endures its third heatwave of the year.
According to Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), the fire has consumed around eight hectares (20 acres) of heathland, with 16 fire engines deployed to the scene as of 6pm. The fire service has advised the public to avoid the area and for nearby residents to close their windows and doors due to smoke.
Eyewitness: ‘We Saw It Billowing Up’
Laura Watts, who works at a nearby pet shop, said she first noticed the smoke around 4:15pm.
“We smelt the smoke and went outside, which is when we saw it billowing up,” she told the UKNIP.
A large portion of the land is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and used for military training, while Hankley Common Golf Club also owns part of the site.[block_2]
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