Daylight reveals fire's devastation
AS the spring sunshine lit up the charred gorse and woodland in Martlesham today, the devastation caused by the sweeping heathland blaze was revealed.
AS the spring sunshine lit up the charred gorse and woodland in Martlesham today, the devastation caused by the sweeping heathland blaze was revealed.
Last night's sky was lit up by the brilliant orange of the wild flames and snaking smoke. Indeed, the fierce spectacle could be seen from as far away as Felixstowe.
So startling is the content of the dramatic images captured by photographers at the scene, they could easily be mistaken for a raging Australian bush fire.
Today, the heath bears a scorched black scar on its landscape, an ugly reminder of the fearful inferno, while the area's rich wildlife has been all-but destroyed.
At its height, the blaze covered two hectares of heathland and ten nearby homes in The Oaks were evacuated due to the intense smoke generated.
Sergeant Jim Nicholls admitted: “This is the biggest we have had for a while.”
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Firefighters extinguished the flames just before 11.30pm and crews began the task of damping down.
- Send us your pictures of the drama by e-mailing starnews@eveningstar.co.uk
