Large fire breaks out in Dartmoor national park

Blaze spreads despite freezing temperatures

A huge fire has broken out on Dartmoor in Devon, visible from many miles away.

Photographs and footage showed a wide swathe of orange flames burning quickly, and the night sky was illuminated by the flames.

Fire crews rushed to tackle the blaze, which erupted despite temperatures being at or below freezing.

Flames light up the sky in this still image taken from a video (Snapchat)

There were fears for the national park’s famous ponies.

Witnesses said the fire, at Tavy Cleave in the west of the park, could be seen from as far away as Plymouth and parts of Cornwall.

There was speculation as to whether forecast snow might help contain the flames, but Rob Steemson, Dartmoor National Park emergency officer, told the PA news agency that strong winds were pushing the blaze further across the protected moorlands.

It was thought to be about 5km wide, he said.

Fire crews deployed five pumps and five wildfire vehicles to the area, several miles north of Tavistock.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were working to establish the extent of the blaze, and were working with local farmers.

There were no immediate reports of people or animals being hurt, the spokesperson said, but fire chiefs appealed to people to keep away.