Major incident declared as crews battle Holt Heath fire near Wimborne

A major incident has been declared as about 100 firefighters tackle a blaze at Holt Heath near Wimborne in Dorset.

The public have been warned to stay away and the fire service said it was trying to protect nearby properties by surrounding the blaze.

Twenty homes have been evacuated as a precaution and locals told to keep windows and doors shut.

Image: The fire covers an area about 1000mx800m

Pictures showed smoke billowing into the air from the scene, just north of Bournemouth.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called around 11.30am, adding that the fire was being whipped up by the wind.

"This fire is moving quickly and they [the public] could easily get caught out if they are too close and the fire spreads towards them," said a statement. Datawrapper Thi