Warning after tent fire destroys area of heathland

Firefighters have warned against the use of camping stoves, open fires or barbecues while "conditions are so dry", following a tent fire that spread and destroyed an area of heathland.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said about 100m (about 330ft) x 40m (about 130ft) of heath had been lost on Friday night after a camping stove set fire to a tent at Soldiers Road in Norden, near Wareham, and then spread to the adjacent land.

Crews from Wareham, Poole, Swanage, Redhill Park, Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a water carrier and the rescue's Unimog, attended the blaze at 19:41 BST.

One person was treated for slight smoke inhalation, the fire service added.

DWFRS said the fire began accidentally and three private water bowsers had been used to drench the ground and prevent it from spreading further.

The stop was at 23:22 BST and they scaled back to two pumps overnight.

The service said crews remained on the scene on Saturday morning to continue dampening down and managing hot spots.

DWFRS issued "huge thanks" to Wessex Rescue for their drone and the farmers who had provided water bowsers and drenched the ground to limit the fire spread.

Crews also received support from the music festival Rustic Stomp, held at Knoll Farm Campsite over the weekend.

"Please don't use camping stoves, open fires or barbecues outside while the conditions are so dry, accidents can too easily happen," DWFRS added.