Residents in Lydd are being advised to keep windows and doors shut after 20 fire engines tackled a blaze at an army camp overnight.

Explosions were reportedly heard at the Lydd ranges just before 5pm yesterday, resulting in a "large undergrowth fire", according to Kent Fire and Rescue.

The fire began with a spread of about five hectares - about the size of five football fields - near Galloways Road and Jury's Gap Road, initially resulting in seven fire engines being sent to the scene.

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Watch footage of the blaze and the huge smoke plume

One eyewitness, Johnny Cotter, said at 6.30pm: "We saw three or four explosions with flames shooting into the sky from our home in Sandgate as we watched the line of smoke rise from what looked like four or five different areas.

"Looked a bit more than just an undergrowth fire.

"Looking through my binoculars now and there are still four separate plumes of smoke.

"They are much less dense than an hour ago but look to be quite far apart in a line.

"Difficult to get a perspective though from over here."

By 7.45pm, 10 fire engines including one from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, a command support unit, fire fogging unit and bulk water carrier had been deployed.

The number of fire trucks on the scene increased to 20 at 11pm, by which time a drone had been used to assess the area being affected.

A fire service spokesman said: "Over 100 firefighters, 20 fire engines and a variety of specialist support vehicles are in attendance at a large undergrowth fire on the Lydd Ranges near Galloways Road and Jury's Gap Road.

"Fire crews from Kent and East Sussex Fire and Rescue have been battling the blaze in difficult conditions since just before 5pm.

"They are using numerous hose reels and a variety of vehicles with water mist and compressed air foam.

"The smoke plume from this fire is drifting towards Camber but heading out to sea. If you are susceptible or being affected by the smoke, we would advise you to please keep doors and windows closed.

"Firefighting efforts have been hampered by the tinder dry land and the breeze from the sea fanning the flames."

At 5.45am, another update was issued saying "Good progress was made overnight in tackling the fire and the number of fire engines has been reduced to nine.

"Crews worked incredibly hard in tough conditions to get on top of the fire and are now damping down hot spots over a large area using all-terrain vehicles and hose reel jets."

However, despite reductions in scale, firefighters were still "working incredibly in tough conditions get on top of the fire".

The spokesman added: "Due to the amount of smoke in the area from the large fire on the Lydd Ranges and the direction of wind, people living in the Lydd area are being asked to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution for the time being."

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