Dartmoor: Huge Fire Breaks Out – And Can Be Seen For Miles Around

Firefighters have warned the public to stay away from the "extremely dangerous" blaze.
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Emergency crews have urged members of the public to stay away from an “extremely dangerous” large fire on Dartmoor.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has said the huge blaze is near Tavy Cleave, a few miles north east of Tavistock, but have struggled to tackle the blaze due to its location.

Pictures on social media showed a large stretching blaze which has illuminated the night sky.

Crews remained in place overnight but said they had to wait until daylight returned fully before they were able to assess the situation.

Photo taken from the Twitter feed of Benjamin Lawley of a large fire that has broken out on Dartmoor in Devon.
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of Benjamin Lawley of a large fire that has broken out on Dartmoor in Devon.
PA Media
Photo issued by Rowena Millar
Photo issued by Rowena Millar
PA Media

Absolutely huge fire has broken out on Dartmoor - visible from Plymouth and parts of Cornwall.
(Pic by Georgia Trivett) pic.twitter.com/CZjMJmWjwl

— Edd Moore (@Edd13Moore) February 11, 2021

Rob Steemson, Dartmoor National Park emergency officer, told the PA news agency the blaze is estimated to be around three miles wide.

He said it was not clear how or where the fire started, but that “strong” winds were pushing it further across the moorland.

Steemson added that park rangers are in attendance along with the fire service.

Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @Iiamdw
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @Iiamdw
PA Media

You can see it clearly from #Cornwall - there’s a huge fire raging on #Dartmoor

Spare a thought for @DSFireUpdates crews out there

More @BBCSpotlight 2230https://t.co/dzPo17kaOb

— BBC Radio Cornwall (@BBCCornwall) February 11, 2021
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @Iiamdw
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @Iiamdw
PA Media

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said that two 4×4 vehicles are currently undertaking a watching brief from “various vantage points” but that “no significant fire spread” had been identified.

A spokesman for the service said: “Crews remain at the scene, watching and containing the fire.

“We will assess how to proceed when daylight returns, when there is more visibility and firefighting can continue.”

The fire service tweeted overnight that people have arrived nearby to “get a glimpse/photo of the fire”, and pictures have been shared on social media.

“This is extremely dangerous and certainly not an essential journey. Please stay away from the area for your own safety,” it said.

Multiple calls were received earlier on in the evening for a report of #moorland on #fire on #Dartmoor in the area of #Peter Tavy. We have a number of pumping appliances, 4 x 4 vehicles and supporting officers currently monitoring the situation pic.twitter.com/dWnrB5o8gG

— Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (@DSFireUpdates) February 11, 2021
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of Benjamin Lawley
Photo taken from the Twitter feed of Benjamin Lawley
PA Media

The fire is thought to be on a remote stretch of the moorland and no residents or animals have been injured, according to reports.

It is not yet clear if the fire is controlled. Social media users said the blaze could be seen from parts of Cornwall.

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