A HUGE fire on the clifftop at Boscombe may have been caused by discarded smoking materials or glass that magnified the sunlight.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the exact cause of the fire on Monday night just after 7pm may never be known but has given two possible causes.

A spokesperson said: “We won’t ever be able to confirm the exact cause of this fire but the officers think that it may have started from either discarded smoking material or possibly some rubbish such as glass that’s magnified the light and heated up the vegetation.”

Bournemouth Echo: The fire at Boscombe. Picture by Paul Godier. The fire at Boscombe. Picture by Paul Godier.

Read more: Smoke seen for miles as fire crews battle clifftop blaze near Boscombe Pier

Multiple fire crews rushed to the scene of the fire on the cliffside near Boscombe Pier.

People were urged to avoid the area and a trail of smoke could be seen billowing along the coast.

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

Read more: Charred earth shows extent of damage caused by Boscombe clifftop fire

Bournemouth Echo: The aftermath of the fire at Boscombe The aftermath of the fire at Boscombe

The area involved in fire was approximately 200m x 20m.

An amber wildfire alert remains in force for Dorset following weeks of hot weather and very little rain.

People are urged not to have barbecues or campfires when visiting heathlands, woodlands or countryside and to take a picnic instead.