Home Romney Marsh News Article
Lydd Ranges fire still burning after more than a day
11:43, 25 July 2019
updated: 13:22, 25 July 2019
Fire crews remain at the scene of an undergrowth fire which started a day-and-a-half ago on an army camp.
The Lydd Ranges were engulfed with flames shortly before 5pm on Tuesday, with explosions heard coming from the site near Galloways Road and Jury's Gap Road.
Initially five hectares in size - roughly the size of five football pitches - the blaze quickly spread and by 11pm, 20 fire engines and 100 firefighters were on the scene.
Smoke could be seen for miles
Nearby residents were warned to keep their windows and doors closed yesterday morning, despite "good progress" being made by on-site emergency services.
By that time the number of fire engines had been reduced to nine, however this number has risen again to 11 as the country braces itself for possibly its hottest day on record.
A fire service spokesman said: "Around 11 fire engines remain at the scene of a fire on the Lydd Ranges.
"Steady progress is being made and crews are continuing to damp down any remaining hotspots."
The Lydd Ranges have been used as a military training facility for 150 years, and is part of the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Troops practice there often, and the camp saw a much smaller fire in 2016.
