Property lost in major heath fire, says resident

A major heath fire which saw firefighters travel from across the country to tackle it burned down buildings, a resident has said.

The fire at Holt Heath, north of Wimborne, Dorset, is thought to have been started deliberately on 9 August and burned across 72 hectares (177 acres) of land.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said 17 other fire services from across the country supported their efforts to tackle the blaze.

A video captured by resident Jason Wilson, who said a household lost barns and outbuildings, was shared by the Dorset Heaths Partnership and showed scorched and blackened trees and vegetation.

Mr Wilson filmed himself walking along a track across Holt Heath and showed just how "barren" some of the land was left.

Some residents were forced to leave their homes when the fire started but were later allowed to return.

Initially more than 100 firefighters from local stations fought the fire.

Later, amongst those who assisted was Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, which sent 12 firefighters and officers in two fire engines and an off-road vehicle.

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