Fire breaks out at Bournemouth beachfront after someone cooks food in hut

A large fire that broke out at Bournemouth beach in front of hundreds of sunbathers was started by cooking, emergency services said.

Somebody cooking in one of the many beach huts that line West Undercliff promenade “accidentally” started the fire at 3.50pm on Monday, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Two other beach huts caught fire and sent smoke billowing up the cliff face, with the flames spreading to 330sq ft of scrubland above the beach, the service added.

Hundreds of people enjoying the warm weather on the beach watched as eight fire engines tackled the blaze.

Dorset Police cordoned off the area and warned people to stay away.

Residents in Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole were asked to keep their doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering.

At about 6.45pm, the fire service said the blaze was out but crews were still “damping down”.

“The blaze started accidentally in a beach hut due to cooking. It’s now safe to open doors/windows if you’re in local area,” it said.

Dorset Police earlier said: “Please avoid the area of the West Cliff lift on Bournemouth’s West Cliff following a beach hut fire, which has spread to nearby beach huts and is moving up the cliff.

“A cordon is in place for the safety of members of the public. We are assisting with the cordon.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Fire breaks out at Bournemouth beachfront after someone cooks food in hut