Major Incident as Large Wildfire Burns Near Sizewell B Nuclear Station

The Wildfire

A major incident has been declared as around 90 firefighters battle a large-scale wildfire on the Suffolk coast, with the blaze burning close to Sizewell B nuclear power station. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a wildfire at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, shortly after 5:30pm on Wednesday, with crews remaining at the scene through Thursday morning tackling what was described as "a large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire" in "arduous conditions." Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said late on Thursday night that they were in a "better position" than they were a few hours earlier, although they warned that the blaze near Sizewell B was still a "dynamic incident."

Safety and Evacuations

Leiston sits approximately 5km from Sizewell B, but the fire service said in a Thursday morning update that there was "no current risk to Sizewell B, due to the distance from the fire and the direction it is travelling (easterly)." Cliff House Holiday Park, containing some 200 caravans, had been completely evacuated as a precaution. The Suffolk blaze is the latest in a series of wildfires to break out across England and Wales during the UK's fourth heatwave of the year. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert for the East Midlands, east and south-east of England and London, warning of increased health risks for vulnerable groups.

If you are in the wider Suffolk or East Anglia region, stay informed through local fire and rescue service updates and follow any evacuation guidance issued by local authorities. Anyone experiencing heat-related illness symptoms should seek medical advice promptly.

Sources

• Hounslow Herald — Major Incident Declared as Wildfire Burns Near Suffolk Nuclear Power Station
• Perspective Media — Firefighters in 'better position' as they tackle Suffolk wildfire for third day