Hundreds evacuated as UK wildfire sparks ‘major incident’ near nuclear power plant

The wildfire has caused a 'major incident'

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze broke out shortly after 5:30pm on Wednesday and has since spread rapidly across the National Trust heathland.

Around 90 firefighters worked through the night in what the service described as "arduous conditions", tackling a "large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire" that was moving south-west and threatening the 19th-century St James' Church off Westleton Road.

Roughly 200 caravans were evacuated from a nearby holiday park in the dead of night.

The fire comes as the ongoing UK heatwave leaves swathes of England in drought, part of a record-breaking summer for temperatures.

Is the Suffolk wildfire a risk to Sizewell B?

Suffolk County Council moved to reassure residents about the nearby power station.

There is no current risk to the Sizewell B site.

The heathland has been managed by the National Trust since 1968 and is a well-known local beauty spot.

Emergency services remain at the scene and have urged the public to avoid the area, keep roads clear and shut windows and doors if smoke is nearby.