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News

Lydd Range fire now out after three days

By: John Nurden jnurden@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 19:01, 26 July 2019

Updated: 19:42, 26 July 2019

It has taken three days and nights but the huge fire on Lydd Army Range is now out.

At its height, more than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines were tackling the blaze.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service was first alerted just before 5pm on Tuesday after eyewitnesses reported seeing and hearing explosions near Galloways Road and Jury's Gap Road.

Drone footage of the fire from Kent Fire and Recue Service

The Army regularly uses the range to test munitions but many believe the flashes of light were caused by electricity power lines crashing to the ground.

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More than five hectares of undergrowth, approximately the size of five football pitches, were on fire. Crews used bulk water carriers, all-terrain vehicles and a drone in their battle.

At one stage residents were warned to stay inside and close their windows as plumes of smoke spread across the land.

Drone footage: the Lydd Ranges fire from the sky. Picture:KFRS (14341589)

Fire bosses finally reported that the blaze was out at 3pm this afternoon.

Duty of care has now been handed back to the land owner.

Lee Rose, assistant director of resilience and Channel Tunnel at KFRS, said: “Our firefighters have worked incredibly hard in tough conditions to tackle the blaze and the efforts our crews went to in order to reduce the impact of the fire has been immense.

Grass fire tips (14341597)

"The pure scale and complexity of the fire, combined with the extreme heatwave this week, meant we also had teams on-site to assist crews and keep them hydrated during firefighting operations."

He added: "We would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has worked on the site to help us extinguish the fire as soon as physically possible."

He also praised the Rapid Relief Team, the Ministry of Defence and businesses for their support.

Drone footage: the Lydd Ranges fire from the sky. Picture:KFRS (14341586)

The cause of the fire, one of the biggest in Kent for many years, has still not been established.

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KFRS has attended more than 400 grass fires already this year.

To help reduce the risk, fire bosses have issued a "simple yet vital" list of tips to help prevent others.

It advises smokers to dispose of cigarettes safely and for barbecues to be only used in authorised areas.

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh

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