A couple hailing from Essex shared their harrowing experience of narrowly escaping the Suffolk wildfire while being part of an evacuation at a caravan park. Firefighters have been working on extinguishing the blaze at Dunwich Heath near Leiston since Wednesday evening, deploying over a hundred firefighters and a helicopter. The fire, which at its peak covered 150 hectares, equivalent to around 210 football pitches, prompted a major incident declaration due to its size and complexity.
The evacuation included homes and around 200 caravans, with residents being urgently alerted to evacuate on Wednesday night. The fire service updated that at least 12 fire engines would continue monitoring the scene overnight into Friday to address any emerging smaller fires. Additionally, power had been restored to 111 out of the 116 properties affected by earlier power outages.
Despite the proximity of the fire to Sizewell B nuclear power station, Suffolk Fire and Rescue assured that the station was not in danger due to the fire’s distance and direction. However, they emphasized the situation remained dynamic and ongoing.
Stephen Bullock and Christine Miller, who were visiting Dunwich Cliffs Estate caravan park from Canvey Island in Essex, described their experience of sudden evacuation during the night. They recounted the chaotic scenes of thick smoke and toxic fumes enveloping the area, leading them to seek refuge at Westleton Village Hall for the night.
Another holidaymaker, Ed from Epping, Essex, shared his experience of self-evacuation to Dunwich Tea Rooms, where he spent the night in his car after receiving evacuation instructions. Lisa Gordon, vacationing with her husband and dog in their touring caravan, expressed concern over the fire’s proximity to their location at Cliff House Holiday Park, highlighting the unexpected disruption to their planned relaxation.
The incidents underscore the unpredictability and challenges faced by individuals caught in the path of natural disasters like wildfires. Stay updated on the latest developments regarding the Dunwich wildfire through our live blog.