Strong smell of burning across West Sussex causes concern
Westerly winds are reportedly bringing strong smells of burning across to West Sussex from a heathland fire in the New Forest.
People across the county have taken to Facebook to report the smell of burning in a bid to locate the source.
Numerous reports suggest it is the winds from the west that have been carrying the smoke across from Hampshire.
Smoke from the heathland fire off the A31 in the New Forest was visible from Portsmouth as 26 fire engines tackled the blaze.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said they received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle on fire on the eastbound A31 at about 5.24pm on Sunday.
The fire then spread to heathland and four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and several command vehicles joined the fire engines at the site near Ringwood, according to the fire service.
A spokesperson said they could not say ‘with absolute certainty’ that the smell of smoke this morning had come from the New Forest fire, but ‘it is a possibility’.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service added: “There are currently no reported incidents within West Sussex that would be issuing a large amount of smoke, so it is likely to be from the New Forest fire.”
Firefighters remained at the scene of the heathland fire near the A31 on Monday morning, continuing to work to bring the fire under control.
The fire service said: “The smoke, which was clearly visible across the area and from both sides of the Solent yesterday, has reduced significantly. Some smoke remains visible locally, but it is now much less widespread.
"We are aware that in some areas the smell of smoke is lingering and we ask that you first check the smell of smoke in your area isn’t caused by a separate fire, and if so, please dial 999.”
Hampshire crews were also fighting another 'significant fire' in Holbury yesterday evening, where bungalows and vehicles on Rollestone Road caught fire after flames spread from a hedgerow.
In West Sussex, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service crews worked throughout the evening on Friday, August 7, to tackle a large fire in an area of woodland off Denne Road, Horsham.
A spokesperson said: “Firefighters worked throughout the evening to bring the fire under control, with the last crew leaving the scene shortly before midnight. Fortunately there were no casualties as a result of this incident which is believed to have begun accidentally.”