Latest news with #LauraWatts
ITV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- ITV News
Firefighters tackle large blaze at Surrey nature reserve
The fire was captured by Laura Watts. Firefighters have been tackling a large blaze at a nature reserve in Surrey, as temperatures remain high across the south. Surrey Fire & Rescue Service reported 16 fire engines at the scene on Hankley Common, in Thursley, in a post on X on Saturday evening, July 12th. The heathland, part of a SSSI nature reserve, is home to rare lizards and ground-nesting birds. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Cllr Phoebe Sullivan from Waverley Borough Council said the fire had now been contained, but crews were still monitoring the situation. The fire service said about eight hectares (20 acres) of woodland and heathland was affected and advised local people to avoid the area and to close windows and doors. In 2022 a devastating fire in the area prompted a major incident and the evacuation of more than 20 homes. The Common is used as an army training area, and has been used as a film set, including for the James Bond film Skyfall. The latest heatwave has led to hosepipe bans being brought in across parts of the country, with temperatures set to remain high on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to dip marginally compared to yesterday with possible highs of 31C, before Monday brings some relief from the baking heat. South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached "record levels since May" and announced impending restrictions which will mean customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools or ponds or clean paths, walls or windows from July 18. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave through today it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Large fire breaks out on nature reserve
A large fire has broken out on a nature reserve in Surrey as the UK bakes in its third heatwave of the year. Surrey Fire & Rescue Service said there were16 fire engines at the scene on Hankley Common, in Thursley, in a post on X just before 18:00 BST. It said the fire was covering about eight hectares (20 acres) and advised local people to avoid the area and to close windows and doors. Laura Watts, who works at a nearby pet shop, said she could smell smoke at about 16:15BST, shortly after which a fleet of fire engines turned up. Hankley Common has been used as a film set, including for the James Bond film Skyfall, and the Marvel movie Black Widow. It is an important heathland habitat and home to ground-nesting birds, including nightjars and skylarks. Ms Watts described the moment she realised it was on fire. "We smelt the smoke and went outside, which is when we saw it billowing up," she said. "The fire teams turned up not long afterwards and blocked the road with their vehicles and told people to stay away." She said the firefighters had been working at the scene for a few hours "because the wind keeps picking up and spreading it". "We were handing out water bottles to them because it's such a hot day," she added. A SFRS spokesperson said: "We currently have 16 appliances attending a wildfire on Hankley Common, Thursley. "The fire is covering approximately eight hectares. "Please avoid the area and nearby residents should close windows and doors." In England on Saturday, temperatures peaked at 33C (91.4F), which was recorded in Ross on Wye, falling short of Friday's peak of 34.7C (94.5F). The latest heatwave has led to hosepipe bans being declared, with wildfire warnings in place across much of the country. The common is a 560 hectare (1,400 acre) nature reserve, part of the Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Site of Special Scientific Interest. A significant portion of it is owned by the Ministry of Defence, which uses the land for military training. Another portion of the area is owned by the Hankley Common Golf Club. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Roads reopen around Surrey grassland fire Map highlights borough's movie backdrops Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Surrey
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Fire breaks out on Surrey nature reserve used in Hollywood films
A large fire has broken out on a nature reserve in Surrey as the UK bakes in its third heatwave of the Fire & Rescue Service said there were16 fire engines at the scene on Hankley Common, in Thursley, in a post on X just before 18:00 said the fire was covering about eight hectares (20 acres) and advised local people to avoid the area and to close windows and Watts, who works at a nearby pet shop, said she could smell smoke at about 16:15BST, shortly after which a fleet of fire engines turned up. She said: "We smelt the smoke and went outside, which is when we saw it billowing up."The fire teams turned up not long afterwards and blocked the road with their vehicles and told people to stay away."She said the firefighters had been working at the scene for a few hours "because the wind keeps picking up and spreading it"."We were handing out water bottles to them because it's such a hot day," she added. A SFRS spokesperson said: "We currently have 16 appliances attending a wildfire on Hankley Common, Thursley. "The fire is covering approximately eight hectares. "Please avoid the area and nearby residents should close windows and doors." In England on Saturday, temperatures peaked at 33C (91.4F) recorded in Ross on Wye, falling short of Friday's peak of 34.7C (94.5F).The latest heatwave has led to hosepipe bans being declared and wildfire warnings are in place across much of the country. Hankley Common has been used as a Hollywood film set, including for the James Bond film Skyfall, the Marvel movie Black Widow, as well as TV series such as Doctor Who and Blackadder Goes is a heathland habitat and home to ground-nesting birds, including nightjars and skylarks.A significant portion of it is owned by the Ministry of Defence, which uses the land for military portion of the area is owned by the Hankley Common Golf Club.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UK-first tunnel marathon in D-Day bunker returns
Athletes are checking the batteries in their head torches and dusting off their cycle helmets for the second edition of the UK's only fully underground marathon. Held in Portsmouth, the race sees runners head deep below Portsdown Hill into former Royal Navy bunkers, where the progress of Allied troops was tracked on D-Day. The race was the brainchild of Sussex Trail Events, whose members were inspired by Germany's Kristallmarathon, held in a disused salt mine. Runners will aim to complete 90 laps of the tunnel network, including some 65ft (20m) long sections that taller entrants are warned may require them to stoop - often. With one of the tunnels completely unlit, head torches and cycle helmets are mandatory for safety reasons. After last year's maiden race, Sussex Trail Events organiser Jay McCardle said it had been a success but added: "One person kept hitting their head and a few people showed me scratches on their helmets." Last year's winner of the women's trophy, ultra marathon runner Laura Watts, described the race as "brilliantly bonkers". Laura, from Bognor Regis, said it was the first marathon she had ever won. "In 1944 there were 700 staff working underground here," she said. "I bet they never dreamed that, 80 years later, 100 people would be running a marathon in there." Michael Burke from Haywards Heath took the men's trophy, completing the 91 laps in 3 hours and 42 minutes. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Tunnel marathon: Is this England's wackiest race? Tunnel marathon in D-Day bunker is UK first Runners compete in marathon inside former prison Sussex Trail Events
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
UK-first tunnel marathon in Portsmouth D-Day bunker returns
Athletes are checking the batteries in their head torches and dusting off their cycle helmets for the second edition of the UK's only fully underground in Portsmouth, the race sees runners head deep below Portsdown Hill into former Royal Navy bunkers, where the progress of Allied troops was tracked on race was the brainchild of Sussex Trail Events, whose members were inspired by Germany's Kristallmarathon, held in a disused salt will aim to complete 90 laps of the tunnel network, including some 65ft (20m) long sections that taller entrants are warned may require them to stoop - often. With one of the tunnels completely unlit, head torches and cycle helmets are mandatory for safety last year's maiden race, Sussex Trail Events organiser Jay McCardle said it had been a success but added: "One person kept hitting their head and a few people showed me scratches on their helmets."Last year's winner of the women's trophy, ultra marathon runner Laura Watts, described the race as "brilliantly bonkers".Laura, from Bognor Regis, said it was the first marathon she had ever won."In 1944 there were 700 staff working underground here," she said. "I bet they never dreamed that, 80 years later, 100 people would be running a marathon in there."Michael Burke from Haywards Heath took the men's trophy, completing the 91 laps in 3 hours and 42 minutes. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
