Fire at BoomTown music festival in Hampshire destroys 80 cars

Festival campsite evacuated after flames sweep through car park

Burnt cars in the car park at BoomTown Fair near Winchester in Hampshire (@SCAS_HART/Twitter)

A huge fire at the BoomTown Fair, a music festival near Winchester in Hampshire, has destroyed around 80 cars in the car park.

Fire crews were initially called out to reports of a fire involving three cars.

But the blaze swept through nearby vehicles on a hot and sunny day, sending a huge plume of black smoke into the air, eventually destroying scores of cars before it was controlled.

The South Central Ambulance Services Hazardous Area Response Team said: “Multi-agency response estimated 80 vehicles destroyed by Boomtown fire.

“Thankfully no casualties at this time.”

More than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze while revellers and those concerned about their vehicles were warned to stay away until the area was deemed safe.

One of the festival’s campsites has been evacuated and people are being advised to stay away.

South Central Ambulance Service said they were standing down but Hampshire Police remained on the scene.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue and Hampshire Police have launched an investigation into what caused the blaze, which broke out at 4.15pm on Friday.

The line-up for the festival includes Leftfield, Levellers, Madness, The Fun-Loving Criminals, and Damien Marley.