Terrifying footage has shown red leaping flames spewing up from Bournemouth beach over a cliff and up to the road above after a fire was started by someone cooking in a beach hut.
In the video taken close to the evacuated Highcliff Marriott hotel, a car hastily reverses away from the roadside where thick smoke and huge flames were thrown up by the sea breeze on Monday afternoon.
Sunbathers had earlier fled in terror after a man rushed out of one of the rented huts along the beach and shouted for people to get back because he feared a gas canister inside could explode.
The fire spread to two adjacent huts and the southerly breeze soon fanned its flames onto the tinder-dry gorse behind, through which a 100ft tract of destruction was torn.
Eight fire crews raced to scene at 3.50pm and put out the fire in the beach huts and set about tackling the fire raging through the dense vegetation on the cliff.
The blaze on the cliff was eventually brought under control and South Western Ambulance Service said there were no reports of any injuries.
Emergency services have scrambled to the West Undercliff area, where a cordon has been erected and sun-bathers evacuated. The fire quickly spread from the burning beach huts and has blazed a path of destruction up 100sqm of heath where photos show it is perilously close to the cliff-top hotel and other homes.
Burnt out gas canisters are seen in the aftermath among the charred remains of the timber-framed beach hut which caught fire
The beach huts are available to rent from Bournemouth Council and all of them are fitted with a gas cooker
The remains of a neighbouring beach hut is seen to the right of where the burnt out hut formerly stood (on the far left), while another hut (centre) has had its left side severely damaged in the inferno
The inferno decimated swathes of gorse on the cliff face rising above Bournemouth’s iconic promenade
Due to the gorse being tinder-dry and a strong southerly breeze fanning the flames, a huge 100ft long strip of the sloping cliff was set alight
Firefighters tackle the blaze from the top of the cliff just yards away from the four-star Highcliff Marriott Hotel
The scorched cliff-side being doused by a fireman inside a cherry picker this afternoon – the burnt out huts can be seen on the promenade
The beach hut burning on Monday afternoon (left) and its charred remains with gas burnt out gas canisters on the ground (right)
Firefighters are battling a huge blaze on Bournemouth beach after three beach huts went up in flames
The hot, dry weather and strong breeze provided the fire with excellent conditions to rip its terrifying path up the cliff face
The beach was packed with thousands of visitors soaking up the 73.4F (23C) sunny weather.
Among those closest to the blaze was Jonty Hughes.
Mr Hughes, 22, from Bournemouth, said: ‘I was about 60ft from it when the fire first started – just inside one beach hut.
‘A guy came running out shouting for people to get back as there was a small gas canister down the side of his beach hut.
‘He kept shouting for people to get out of the way and when it did reach the gas there were loads of pops, which sounded almost like aerosols.
‘The wind pushed the flames up the cliff face and the fire just rose all the way up from there. It was unbelievable.’
Tracey Steadman, a district nurse from Derbyshire, is on holiday in Bournemouth with her three children, who are aged 18, 14 and 13.
She said there was no sudden explosion but that she heard several pops once the fire was underway.
Other beach huts were destroyed and badly damaged by the fire which raged up the gorse-covered cliff face on Monday afternoon
The fire appears to have totally destroyed at least two beach huts, with others left severely damaged by the blaze with was started by a gas stove
Unconfirmed reports suggest the fire was sparked by one of the burning beach huts before quickly engulfing 100sqm of heath
Emergency services have scrambled to the area between Bournemouth Pier and Branksome beach, where sun bathers have reportedly been evacuated
Eight fire crews raced to scene at 3.50pm and put out the fire in the beach huts and set about tackling the fire on the cliff. The blaze on the cliff has now been brought under control and South Western Ambulance Service said there were no reports of any injuries.
Mrs Steadman, 48, said: ‘I didn’t hear a bang or anything like that. I just turned around and saw a huge plume of smoke.
‘There were flames erupting from one hut and people were forced to leave their possessions on the beach to get away safely.
‘There was no time to pack up things like wind-breaks, people just had to abandon them on the sand.
‘I saw a few of the other huts catch fire and the wind blew the flames onto the hill which went up so quickly.
‘Thankfully we were about 160ft away but the fire was absolutely huge.
‘The police arrived within minutes but unfortunately the fire brigade were slightly behind them so by the time they got there, the hill was already in flames.
‘Firefighters had to climb onto the hill to try and put it out and after that there was just a huge amount of smoke.’
Firefighters douse the cliff face after bringing the worst of the fire under control this afternoon
Firefighters spray the scorched huts with a hose after the beach was cleared of visitors
Police officers close to the carnage today as the beach was evacuated
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Brigade said: ‘Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently dealing with a fire on West Undercliff in Bournemouth, affecting three beach huts and approximately 100 sqm of heath on the cliff face.’
The fire started about 400 yards west of Bournemouth Pier and just beneath the Highcliff Marriott Hotel.
Three beach huts have been destroyed.
Police cleared a section of the beach while at least five fire crews tackled the blaze.
One eye witness, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘Three beach huts caught fire then the fire spread quickly to the cliff.
‘The flames were very thick and someone in a beach hut near to where it happened rushed out carrying their gas canisters to avoid a possible explosion.
‘There were three fire engines tackling it on the beach front and two up top from what I could tell.
‘They seem to have got it under control but it was quite alarming.’
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: ‘We were called at 3.53pm to reports of a beach hut near to the West Cliff lift on Bournemouth’s West Cliff. The fire has spread to nearby beach huts and is moving up the cliff.
‘Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.
‘The fire service is dealing with the incident. A cordon is in place for the safety of members of the public and officers are at the scene to assist with the closures.’
Firefighters tackling the blaze on the heath-covered cliff face in Bournemouth on Monday afternoon as thousands of sun worshippers flocked to enjoy the weather
Thick black smoke is billowing upwards into the sky as beach-goers watch in horror
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently dealing with a fire on West Undercliff in Bournemouth, affecting three beach huts and approximately 100 square metres of heath on the cliff face.
‘We were called to the scene at 3.51pm and have fire crews in attendance from Redhill Park, Springbourne, Westbourne and Christchurch, together with the aerial appliance from Westbourne. Additional crews are en route.
‘The fire is causing significant smoke across the promenade and across West Hill Road. People are asked to stay away from the area, and to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.’
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Brigade said: ‘Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently dealing with a fire on West Undercliff in Bournemouth, affecting three beach huts and approximately 100 sqm of heath on the cliff face.
‘We were called to the scene at 3.51pm and have fire crews in attendance from Redhill Park, Springbourne, Westbourne and Christchurch, together with the aerial appliance from Westbourne. Additional crews are en route.
‘The fire is causing significant smoke across the promenade and across West Hill Road.
‘People are asked to stay away from the area, and to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.’
Dramatic pictures show an inferno ripping down a steep bank of trees adjacent to the sand
Dorset Police tweeted: ‘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.’
The seaside town is one of the most popular coastal spots in the country and today drew hundreds of people.
Ross Millen, of the Bournemouth Echo, tweeted: ‘A large segment of the cliff between Bournemouth pier and Branksome beach has caught fire.
‘Emergency services all on scene and the section of beach nearest the fire has been evacuated.
‘Locals saying they first smelt the smoke from the town centre around 45 minutes ago.’