Wildfires have torn through a forest best known as the setting of A. A. Milne’s children’s classic Winnie the Pooh.
Two separate blazes started within an hour of each other in Ashdown Forest in east Sussex today (Tues), on the hottest February day on record.
Dramatic pictures show smoke billowing from the forest known as Hundred Acre Wood in the book.
Firefighters said more than 35 hectares of woodland had been affected, with both fires spreading.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said “unusual warm weather this week” meant the ground was drier than usual, and could lead to a greater risk of outdoor fires.
At least 65 firefighters were at both sites, it added.
Seven fire crews including specialist Land Rovers rushed to Nutley after the first wildfire was reported 12.31pm.
Another four crews were dispatched after another blaze then broke out less than two miles away at 1.37pm.
A spokesman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the second fire saw flames engulfing 200 metres of gorse and undergrowth.
Members of the public were warned to stay away as firefighters battled the fire with hose reels.
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
