Residents in Boscombe overcliff describe fire on Monday night

Fire crews battled the clifftop blaze near Boscombe Pier just after 7pm on Monday, closing the seafront road to allow firefighters to work.

Smoke could be seen from along the coast, with beachgoers gathering on the sand to watch the crews work to extinguish the blaze.

READ MORE: Smoke seen for miles as fire crews battle clifftop blaze near Boscombe Pier

Emergency services said the fire, which was put out within two hours, spread rapidly due to the wind. 

Resident Paul Godier said: “I live overlooking the area and at about 7.15pm we saw some smoke and before long there were really strong flames and lots of people watching.

“When the fire brigade arrived there were five appliances and police cars, of course people who had parked along the front moved their cars.

“I walk those cliffs nearly every day and so it’s always a great shame when there is a fire in an area that is full of nature, so it’s disappointing.

“It’s good that they managed to get it under control relatively quickly, I haven't been to see the extent of the damage today but I dont think it’s too extensive and these areas of bush do tend to grow back quite quickly but it’s always a shame, especially if it was some idiot with a barbeque.”

Another eyewitness living near the overcliff said: "About 15 minutes after it started we saw it, so we stood in the street and saw it on top of the trees, it was spreading with the wind and blowing smoke.

“So we followed it down and sat on the beach and watched it and it kept spreading. It took quite a while to put it out. We were concerned that the wind would change direction, my neighbours were getting worried.”

Speaking about the cause of the fire, a spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said at the scene: “We have no information about the cause at the moment, I will be doing investigations to see what the outcome was but it’s too early to tell. I will look at the CCTV in the area, if there is any available, to determine the cause but it can be very hard.”

The fire service confirmed on Tuesday that they are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze.