fire hampshire
© Hampshire Fire and RescueGorse fire in Holbury, New Forest
Firefighters spent the night tackling a gorse fire across more than 85 acres of land in the New Forest.

The blaze, off Rollestone Road in Holbury, Hampshire, started shortly after midnight.

Station Manager Paul Reddish said: "It lit up the night sky - it was a challenge for the crews to get ahead of the fire and create some breaks."

At its height, 45 firefighters were sent to the blaze. The fire was put out by about 03:30 BST.

Mr Reddish said the prolonged heatwave conditions meant areas of the forest were "tinder dry".

gore fire hampshire
He said the cause of the fire was unknown but urged people to use barbecues only in areas set out by the Forestry Commission.

Crews remain at the scene damping down.

The fire is the second large fire within a week in the area.

On 10 July about six acres of heathland off Badminston Lane in Fawley was destroyed.