Bournemouth fire: Large blaze caused by 'cooking accident in beach hut'

A large fire which broke out on the seafront in Bournemouth was caused by a cooking accident in a beach hut, officials have said.

Crews were called to West Undercliff at 3.50pm and found three beach huts and 100 metres of heath on the cliff face alight, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Brigade said.

Sunbathers were evacuated from the beach and it took multiple crews and a helicopter to bring the blaze under control.

A spokeswoman said it was understood the fire started in the beach hut when a camping stove was knocked over.

She said the blaze had been brought under control by 5.30pm, although crews had remained at the scene damping down for a few hours more.

No one was injured in the incident.

Dramatic footage and pictures posted on social media showed the fire burning up the cliff face, with plumes of black smoke visible from a distance.

Local residents were asked to close their windows as a precaution, while Dorset Police set up a cordon around the scene.

The force said on Twitter: "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."