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Suffolk wildfire sparks major incident near Sizewell B nuclear plant

Published 13:02 30 Jul 2026 BST

Updated 12:26 30 Jul 2026 BST

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Suffolk wildfire sparks major incident near Sizewell B nuclear plant

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Huge blaze sweeps through Suffolk coast

A Suffolk wildfire at Dunwich Heath has forced hundreds of people to evacuate after a major incident was declared on the coast, around three miles from the Sizewell B nuclear plant.

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 to battle what the fire service described as a "large-scale, wind-driven forestry fire".

Crews faced "arduous conditions" as the blaze spread south-west, threatening the 19th-century St James' Church on 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?

Fire crews moved to reassure residents about the nearby power station, saying the distance of the blaze meant it posed no immediate threat.

There is no current risk to Sizewell B.

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.

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