Around 90 firefighters are battling a huge fire in Studland which has been raging for almost six hours. 

Emergency services rushed to Little Sea, an area of wetlands at Studland, just after 1pm this afternoon to a large fire in an area of undergrowth and gorse.

People were asked to leave the heath for their own safety, and to avoid Ferry Road.

Access to the Studland peninsula is currently closed while Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service battle the blaze.

The fire has prompted a cross-Dorset effort, with firefighters responding from stations in Springbourne, Blandford (x2), Poole, Westbourne, Swanage, Christchurch, Bridport, Redhill Park, Verwood, Shaftesbury, Wimborne (x2) and New Milton; plus small 4x4 appliances from Poole, Christchurch, Swanage, Beaminster, Verwood, Blandford, Bere Regis, Wimborne, Ringwood and Hythe; the Unimog from Wareham; a support unit from Dorchester; and water carriers from Ringwood and Eastleigh.

Due to the fire being either side of the main Ferry Road, access from and towards Swanage is currently closed.

DWFRS group manager Brad Stevens said: “The fire affects an area of around 200m x 200m, and is generating a lot of smoke. Anyone in the local area who is concerned should keep doors and windows closed. Our crews are fighting the fire on all sides, using multiple jets and beaters, and National Trust staff are using machinery to create a fire break.”

He added: “Anyone who is currently on the peninsula will be able to leave via the chain ferry, which is running one-way with passengers towards Poole only. This will be very busy as the evening goes on, so people are asked to be mindful of the potential delays and prepare accordingly.”

Anyone using the harbour is being asked to stay away from the chain ferry route, so they can continue to assist.

Krystian Krawczyk took drone footage of the fire. He wants to warn people of the dangers and said the damage is already 'sad to see',

 

He said: "I’m not surprised they stopped the ferry because nobody should be travelling there.

“It was very scary to see and I think it may take at least a day for the firefighters to put it out completely. It’s very scary but they’re all heroes.”