70 firefighters tackled Godlingston Heath blaze (From Thisisdorset)

Blaze strikes close of Isle of Purbeck Golf Course

8:50am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in News By Fiona Pendlebury

AROUND 70 firefighters battled to contain a large Fire on protected heathland near the Isle of Purbeck Golf Course.

Crews were alerted at around 3.26pm on Tuesday to the blaze on four acres of National Trust land at Godlingston Heath on Purbeck, which is home to endangered species including sand lizards and the smooth snake.

Seven Land Rovers and five fire engines were sent to fight the fire but soon requested back-up from another four fire engines.

Station manager from Westbourne Fire Station, Terry Clapp, said there was a fire front of around 500 metres wide.

The terrain and the wind constantly changing direction made the fire difficult to fight, said firefighters.

Crews fought the blaze for around three and a quarter hours. They finally got it under control at about 6.45pm by tackling it from four sides.

Speaking from the scene, Station Officer Clapp said: “The wind is not helping and the reason that we have got so many Land Rovers here is because of the terrain. We asked for more appliances because the fire was increasing.

“The fire was heading towards a keeper’s cottage at one stage but now we have got a Land Rover down there so that’s fine.”

No-one was injured by the fire and no homes had to be evacuated. Police are investigating the cause.