FIREFIGHTERS are battling a huge heath blaze on the Martlesham and Kesgrave border.The fire, which broke out at around 10am, is believed to be affecting some fences and back gardens in the Dobbs Lane, Harvester's Way and Westlands area.

FIRERFIGHTERS were battling to save homes from a massive heath blaze today.

The fire broke out on the Martlesham and Kesgrave border this morning shortly after 10am.

The blaze was believed to be affecting some fences and back gardens in the Dobbs Lane, Harvester's Way and Westlands area.

A spokesman for the fire service said six engines had been sent to the scene.

Quick-thinking Evening Star readers Gareth Jones and Chris Pont took these pictures of the fire - the latest in a string of undergrowth and heath blazes sparked by the recent heatwave.

A massive plume of smoke was rising up, towering above the houses of Martlesham and Kesgrave while people began leaving their homes to watch nervously as the fire continued to spread.

The spate of fires has pushed the region's firefighters to the limit with crews suffering in the heat. Members of Colchester Road's Red Watch crew said their uniform had also been causing serious problems in the heat.

One member of the crew said: “You can come back off a job and your clothes will be wringing through and you can see salt marks on your clothes.

“Your chances of having a shower are fairly slim (because it is so busy) so you are uncomfortable for the rest of your shift.”

Some fire services across the country use lighter, jump-suit style uniforms for jobs such as road traffic collisions but these are not currently in use in Suffolk.