Skip to content

Beach blaze firefighters suspect 'human intervention'

Emily Ford
BBC News
Footage shows the fire on Bournemouth seafront cliffside

Firefighters have said they suspect "human intervention" in a blaze along Bournemouth seafront.

Crews from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have been monitoring a number of hotspots after a fire on the cliffside to the west of the East Cliff Zig Zag.

Almost 40 firefighters were called to the scene at 20:39 BST on Saturday, after the fire service received "multiple calls" about the blaze.

DWFRS confirmed no-one was hurt and crews were able to put out the fire before it reached an enclosure of grazing goats.

BCP Council A section of cliff, covered in grass and purple heather plants is covered in fire and smokeBCP Council
The fire broke out near Bournemouth pier by the East Cliff Zig Zag on Saturday evening

A DWFRS spokesperson said: "The cliff does not spontaneously combust, despite the warm weather we've been experiencing, so we do believe there to have been some human intervention.

"However, we cannot determine whether that is accidental or deliberate."

The fire service said the blaze was extinguished by 23:00 but crews returned to the scene at 06:00 to check for hot spots which could flare up.

In an update at 13:00, the fire service explained the incident "would remain open for a reinspection again this afternoon".

It added crews had found several hotspots and the cause of the fire would be "difficult to determine due to the nature of the incident".

DWFRS It's nighttime along Bournemouth seafront, there are fire engines lining the promenade and spotlights and some smoke on the hilltopDWFRS
The fire was put out by 23:00 on Saturday but crews returned to check for hotspots the next morning

DWFRS said it received more than 60 calls about the blaze near Bournemouth pier on Saturday.

Crews from Springbourne, Westbourne, Poole, Ferndown, Christchurch and Wimborne tackled the flames, which covered an area about 328ft (100m) square.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said in a statement the cause of the fire "is unclear" and listed advice from the fire service to avoid wildfires.

The guidance includes not having fires or barbecues near heathlands or clifftops, extinguishing smoking materials properly and not throwing cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows.

The fire took place about 164ft (50m) away from the goats' enclosure, said a council spokesperson, adding: "All the goats are safe and well."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

More on this story
Related Links