A Poole resident has described the huge blaze which spread across Canford Heath leading to residents being evacuated from their homes.

Rob, a resident who was on Knowlton Road at the time of the fire, was one of the people evacuated on Saturday night.

He said: “My friend lives directly opposite where the fire was heading. We were stood outside having a BBQ and we noticed the fire heading over the hill and in our direction.

“Within an hour and a half it had spread to the fence directly opposite us, so we started hosing down anything that could potentially have embers on it or could catch alight.

“We were evacuated from the property and eventually we made our own way back into the house.

“The smell of ash and smoke when we got back was really strong. There were lots of people walking around in shock. It was horrific.”


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Along with other residents, Rob expressed concerns about the impact of the fire on the heathland's wildlife.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture by Corin MesserPicture by Corin Messer

He said: “This will have a massive effect on the local ecosystems and it could mean the heathland is not a safe environment for people who walk there. People use the space to get away from their day to day lives and now it is completely blackened and singed, there won’t be a short term fix for it.”

Rob said he didn’t foresee the fire happening ‘this close to home.’

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.