The New Forest is on high alert after a lorry fire spread to dry heathland along the A31, forcing families to drive through flames to escape.

Dozens of fire engines and crews continue to tackle a blaze near the major road after it overwhelmed parts of the Hampshire beauty spot yesterday evening.

Flames began to spread after an HGV fire, quickly latching onto the bone-dry shrubs and grass on the verges.

Dramatic footage shows motorists evacuating from their vehicles after the fire spread on both sides of the busy road, with thick smoke seen for miles.

A police officer was heard telling people to move to the road’s central reservation ‘if you want to stay alive.’

Motorists at the scene said the fire took hold quickly and some drivers ‘just went straight through the flames.’

Libbi Aldred, 36, told the Daily Mail how the road was suddenly filled with smoke and flames, with cars in front of her putting their hazard lights on.

She said a grandfather with his grandchildren in the car with him saw some vehicles in front of them go through the blaze and ‘the flames were hitting’ them.

The initial fire started around a mile from the Canadian War Memorial northeast of Shobley.

Houses in the area were not evacuated last night, and if the situation changes, residents would be contacted directly, the fire service said.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service said in an update this morning: ‘Firefighters remain at the scene of the heathland fire near the A31 this morning, continuing to work to bring the fire under control.

‘The smoke, which was clearly visible across the area and from both sides of the Solent yesterday, has reduced significantly. Some smoke remains visible locally, but it is now much less widespread. We are aware that in some areas the smell of smoke is lingering and we ask that you first check the smell of smoke in your area isn’t caused by a separate fire, and if so, please dial 999.

‘We currently have 10 fire engines and 10 off-road vehicles at the scene, with crews continuing to work in challenging conditions.’

Because the fire is in a ‘challenging rural location’ and a water supply can be difficult, the crews have been laying a high-volume pump (HVP) system in Ringwood to help with the water supply, fire service said.

It continued: ‘People in and around Ringwood may see firefighters and equipment involved in laying the system. This is an important part of our response and will help support firefighting operations at the scene. Please do not drive over the hose as this could cause damage and result in loss of water.’

The ongoing A31 closure in both directions is causing traffic delays on the M27 westbound this morning, with congestion backing up towards Southampton.

There is also another ‘significant fire’ around 24 miles from the A31 scene in Holbury after bungalows and vehicles caught on fire on Rollestone Road, Ringwood.

The flames engulfed a hedgerow outside a home before spreading to two vehicles on a driveway and two nearby bungalows.

The fifth heatwave of the year has fuelled wildfires across England, with much of the country now in drought.

London is slated for 36C later this week as temperatures begin to soar again, with new heat health alerts issued.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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