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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Huge fire rages near MoD camp as crews tackle blaze over 12 hectares

A horror blaze has broken out at a Hampshire army camp with 20 fire crews tackling 12 hectares alight.

The fire broke out at the British Army Training Camp in Longmoor with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service expecting the incident to "continue for some time".

Residents around the A325 area are being advised to keep windows shut and avoid the area as the battle to extinguish the huge inferno goes on.

The fire service said: "There are currently over 20 crews in attendance at the incident near Longmoor Camp. More than 12 hectares are alright, with the fire in the trees and scrubland.

"Four hose reel jets and four land rovers are in use to fight the fire. A relief strategy is currently being worked on for crews as the incident is expected to go on for some time.

Flames seen billowing into the sky as the fire rages at the military camp (@Paul Booker/Twitter)

"Surrey Fire and Rescue are also in attendance."

Images from the scene show black smoke billowing into the sky from the site.

A MOD spokesperson said: "We are aware of a fire at Longmoor Range. The HampshireFire and Rescue Service are in attendance. The fire continues to burn but is being contained."

Motorists reported heavy smoke passing over the road, with one saying: "Towering smoke clouds on the common opposite Longmoor army camp."

The fire broke out at the British Army Training Camp in Longmoor (@surreymonitors/Twitter)
The fire is burning over 12 hectares (@surreymonitors/Twitter)

Liss Forest Community said on Facebook: "There is a fire on Longmoor Ranges, at the Whitehill side of the ranges. Fire Service have several units and an incident unit there and army are in attendance but if anything it is getting worse."

Driver Paul Hutchinson wrote on Twitter: "Driving back from Aldershot about 90 mins ago I could see the plumes of smoke high in the skye , got to Bordon & I could see it was a big one. Dove past Longmoor as the 1st appliances arrive quickly followed by 3 more & various vehicles with blue lights. Looks quite bad."

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