Bournemouth fire: Flames engulf cliff at beach packed with sunbathers

Explosion reported at beach hut as people forced to flee area

A large fire that broke out close to hundreds of sunbathers on Bournemouth beach was started by someone cooking in a hut, rescue services said.

The fire, on West Undercliff, affected three beach huts and spread over around 100 meters of heath on the cliff face on Monday afternoon.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 3.51pm and it took multiple crews and a helicopter to bring the blaze under control.

A spokeswoman said it was understood th fire started in the beach hut when a camping stove was knocked over.

She said the blaze had been brought under control by 5.30pm, although crews had remained at the scene damping down for a few hours more.

No-one was injured in the incident.

The fire had caused a huge plume of black smoke to billow over the area.

Beach-goers were forced to move away as the flames engulfed a cliff behind the sand, spreading up the scrub-covered cliff.

Several people reported hearing an explosion at a beach hut where the fire is thought to have started.

The stretch of beach in front of the cliff along the West Cliff promenade, which was packed with hundreds of sun-worshippers, was evacuated.

Fire chiefs warned nearby householders to keep doors and windows closed because of the smoke, and police warned people to avoid the area.

Eight fire engines were sent to help tackle the blaze.

Sun-lovers flocking to Bournemouth beach have been criticised in recent weeks for ignoring social-distancing rules during the pandemic.

With agencies