A disposable barbecue is the most likely cause of a major fire in Studland in Dorset, the local fire service has said.
Ninety fire crews and ten fire crews were dispatched to the scene – including some calls from neighboring areas – after the flames were reported at 1pm on Friday.
There was “evidence of a small camp where someone had used a disposable barbecue”, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said.
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“We cannot say 100% that this was the cause, but when we find evidence we have to assume that this is the most likely cause,” added a spokeswoman.
“Fires don’t start themselves.”
Firefighters worked throughout the night to control the flames.
Dorset Police said on Saturday afternoon that an unexploded ordnance piece believed to date back to the Second World War had been found in the scorched earth.
A bomb disposal unit would be in attendance, the force added, warning the public to expect a heavy blast.
In the first 10 days of August, DWFRS said it had attended 180 bushfires.
In the same period last year it was 34.
Image: Firefighters were called on Friday lunchtime Image: Heavy smoke rises from the scene in Studland Heath
Staff “have never had a year like this, it’s unprecedented,” the spokeswoman said.
Temperatures could reach 35C this weekend.
The Met Office has issued an amber heat warning.