AT LEAST nine fire crews are tackling a large heath fire at St Catherine’s Hill and Nature Reserve in Christchurch.

Crews were called at 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 5, to a large fire at St Catherine’s Hill near Dudmoor Lane which is believed to be “under control”.

Six pumps as well as several offroad pumps have been used to help extinguish the blaze which is being tackled by crews from Christchurch, Poole, Swanage, Hamworthy, Ferndown, Verwood, Burley, Salisbury and Ringwood.

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesperson told the Echo that the fire is approximately 400x400m in size and that crews have the blaze “surrounded”.

They said firefighters are still on scene working to extinguish the fire but it is believed they have the situation “under control”.

More follows.