Canford Heath fire in Poole latest as houses saved

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Canford Heath in Poole, to reports of a heath fire around 6pm on Saturday, April 23.

Marc House, area manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We mobilised a couple of fire engines and off road four wheel drive vehicles to the scene and we quickly realised that the fire was of a significant size, so we made up for additional resources.”

The fire burned for roughly six hours, causing residents to be evacuated from their homes as it spread.

Residents watch on as Canford Heath fire burns. Picture by Corin Messer

Mr House said: “At the height of the fire we had 15 fire appliances here and four water carriers along with specialist appliances as well and we were supported by colleagues from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service."

The fire service declared the fire had been extinguished at around 10pm, with crews set to remain on scene throughout the night.

Read more: Huge heath fire takes hold at Canford Heath in Poole as residents evacuated

Mr House said: “I'm now pleased to say that what was an approximately 300 metre fire front has now been extinguished, so we’ve managed to extinguish the fire and protect the houses which at one point appeared to be at risk.

Canford Heath fire. Photo by Elizabeth Leddy

“The crews have worked extremely hard and the residents have been very understanding and were happy to be moved to safety in a local rest centre, they're all now being allowed to move back into their properties and we’re scaling down the incident.

“So the fire’s out and we are still likely to be here throughout the night to ensure that we’re damping down any hotspots which might flare up again and just to give the public that reassurance that they are safe in their homes.

Read more: Incredible drone pictures show extent of massive heath fire at Canford Heath

“Canford Heath Road has been closed and it will remain closed for the next couple of hours whilst we make up equipment and get away and then we'll get the road back open for the public.

“I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their understanding, they've worked really well with us, as have all the other agencies and certainly to thank our own crews as well for their hard work in protecting the properties and the remainder of the heathland.

Canford Heath fire. Photo by Matt Hicks

“Obviously we don't like to see heathland being damaged and we’ve contained it into a small area from what could have been a large-scale incident.”

Speaking about the cause of the fire Mr House, said: “The incident is being investigated, that’s an investigation between Dorset Police and a Fire Investigation Officer from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

“At the moment we don't know what the cause is but that is obviously being looked into, it’s under investigation and the police are making enquiries.”

Read more: Evacuation centre opens as residents evacuated from Canford Heath fire

The area manager said that the long term effects on the heathlands wildlife were likely to be minimal.

He said: “It’s contained at the moment so we're working with BCP Council and they've got staff on site who are mowing large swathes of heathland around the fire area to ensure that there is no further fire spread.

Dorset Fire crews battle Canford Heath fire. Photo by Matt Hicks

“We’re not aware of any issues in terms of sites of special interest so we’d expect in consultation from the land managers that the healthland will just regenerate as you would expect it to anyway, so we don’t see there being any long term impacts on the environment.”

Mr House would like to remind the public of the importance of protecting the heathland.

He said: “Whilst we don't know the cause I think it’s worthy of everyone just to be mindful, to ensure they’re not causing any risks of fire on the heath.

“Please don’t use matches or BBQs on the heathland and then we can enjoy the space safely.”