Huge Blaze Erupts At Royal Marines Training Ground

A Royal Marine training ground was ablaze overnight after a huge gorse fire broke out.

20 fire engines fought the blaze on Woodbury Common, which spread quickly due to high winds.

Five firefighters have reportedly needed treatment after breathing in smoke, with one rushed to hospital with burns.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer Lee Howell is quoted as saying by the Metro:

"Unfortunately we have had a number of our firefighters injured through smoke inhalation. One has been burnt and sadly has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks. We hope that everything works out well for him."

The fire prompted almost 50 calls from members of the public to the emergency services, with large columns of smoke, hundreds of feet, high visible for miles around the scene.

The affected area, consisting of around 1.5 miles of moorland, was evacuated with police cordons put in place, with nearby roads closed for 12 hours.

Fire crews then used hoses, breathing apparatus, pumps, 4x4s and fire beaters to tackle the blaze, described as a 'very, very difficult' situation.

Woodbury Common, near Exeter, has long been used by the Royal Marines for training.

Reports have suggested that a lack of rain has left the countryside vulnerable to even a discarded cigarette setting fields alight.

Photographs courtesy of National Police Air Service (NPAS) Exeter.