More firefighters have been deployed in an attempt to contain a large wildfire that broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday - watch aerial footage above
A major incident has been declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze - now about the size of 140 football pitches - with the RSPB saying it could take 25 years for the heathland to recover
Homes and 200 caravans have been evacuated, with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service saying no injuries have been reported so far
The fire is not affecting Sizewell B, a nuclear power station about four miles (6.4km) from the heath, EDF says - but adds it is "closely monitoring the situation"
Justin North, who was staying at a holiday cottage in the area, told the BBC he was woken up by a "hammering" on the door last night and told to evacuate immediately - another holidaymaker says he saw the smoke get "worse and worse"
The blaze comes as the Environment Agency announced that half of England, including Suffolk, is officially in drought
Lacey says national help is being requested as Suffolk crews are "tired and worn out" after about 20 hours spent tackling this blaze.
Those gathered in the hall erupted into applause to show their appreciation for the firefighters.
Image source, Vikki Irwin/BBCChief fire officer John Lacey is talking to those affected by the blaze at Westleton Village Hall.
He says the fire is "still challenging" and "national assets" have been requested to help.
Local authorities, including Suffolk County Council, will provide help to those evacuated, he tells them.
Rozina Sini
Image source, Kevin MaginnisI've just spoken to Kevin Maginnis from London.
He was staying in a caravan with his family and pets at the Dunwich Cliffs Estate and had to be evacuated last night.
He says he saw the smoke and "it just got worse and worse". Then, at 23:00, they were told to evacuate.
"Luckily we had friends in Southwold so we all decamped and headed there for the night," he says.
Maginnis and his family drove back to London this morning, but say they will eventually have to return to the caravan to close it down and remove the food inside.
"I am hoping that the caravan will be OK," he says. "It will be quite devastating if not."
John Lacey, the chief fire officer, is expected to give an update to those evacuated at Westleton Village Hall shortly.
The village hall is being used as a relief centre for people who have been evacuated from homes and caravans.
As for Sizewell B, which is operational, managers have made efforts to reassure the public.
A spokesperson for EDF confirms the fire is "not affecting operations" and they are "closely monitoring the situation".
It is understood Sizewell B, located near Dunwich Heath, has an emergency plan in place that covers a range of scenarios - including in the event of a fire at the site.
Liz Quickenden sent us this picture from Wednesday evening, showing white billowing smoke in the distance.
She describes the effect of the blaze on wildlife as "unbelievably sad".
Image source, Liz QuickendenEDF says the fire is not affecting operations at Sizewell B (pictured to the left)
Image source, Liz QuickendenOn Wednesday evening, smoke could be seen billowing from beyond the construction of Sizewell C - but from several miles away
Sizewell C says the fire is currently posing a "low risk" to its site due to the distance and the watercourses in between.
The nuclear power station is currently being built and expected to be operational in the mid to late 2030s.
It is separate to Sizewell B, which is operational.
"We are closely monitoring the fire at Dunwich Heath," they explain.
"Our sites and offices remain open and operating as normal.
"We are continuously assessing smoke conditions and any impacts on the road network to help keep people safe and ensure emergency services have priority access."
Its teams are ready to work with the community, emergency services and local councils, they add.
Image source, Ryan LovejoyRyan Lovejoy, a local filmmaker who took drone footage of the fire, says it has been "terrifying" to witness.
"I've never seen anything like this here before," he says.
Lovejoy was having dinner in nearby Southwold on the Suffolk coast and saw smoke in the distance. He says he initially put a drone up to see where the fire was as he lives in Dunwich.
He has been working with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service to help them assess which direction the flames are spreading.
At one point the fire was heading straight for Dunwich, he explains, getting within 0.7 miles (1.2km), before a change of wind direction appeared to steer it away.
It is currently heading towards the sea.
Image source, Ryan LovejoySuffolk Fire and Rescue Service say the blaze is still not under control.
There are now 100 firefighters and 18 fire engines at the scene.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, GoogleThe Ship pub in Dunwich says it has closed to "ensure team and guest safety".
"Our guests have been contacted directly," they say in a statement, external.
They thank people for their patience and send their thoughts to those tackling the fire.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust says it is "heartbreaking" to see the fire at Dunwich Heath "destroying precious wildlife habitats and causing distress and disruption for local communities".
"Suffolk is officially in drought, and nature reserves are particularly vulnerable to wildfires due to the exceptionally dry vegetation," they add.
The spokesperson says its nearby Dingle Marshes reserve was unaffected, but that people should "remain vigilant".
People should not light BBQs, cigarette butts and should not litter in these areas, they continue.
"We're thinking of the brave fire crews, the local communities, and the local wildlife."
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaThe MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Patrick Spencer, describes the fire as an "extremely worrying situation".
He thanks the fire service and other emergency teams for their work during "incredibly challenging conditions to keep people safe, and protect homes and property".
"My priority is making sure that everyone affected receives the information and assistance they need while the emergency response continues," he adds.
"I am also deeply conscious of the impact on our farming community.
"At such a critical point in the year, with harvest under way or about to begin for many, this is an especially difficult time for farmers whose land, livestock, or livelihoods are at risk."
Image source, GoogleLouise Eagle, general manager at Cliff House Holiday Park which is located near Dunwich Heath, says 100 of its onsite lodges were evacuated last night.
As well as this, visitors in tents and campervans were also evacuated with all accounted for and everyone confirmed safe.
She says it is a "shocking scenario" and she "really feels" for all those involved.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has posted footage of the devastation caused by the wildfire.
"Crews continue to work tirelessly as the response to this major incident continues," it said.
Suffolk County Council says the fire now covers 247.1 acres (100 hectares) - equivalent to about 140 football pitches.
This morning, the fire service told the BBC that about 24.7 acres was on fire.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has given an update on its social media pages and says it expects to continue fighting the blaze at Dunwich Heath for at least the next day.
Incident commander Christopher May, who is at the scene, says crews will continue to "fight fire" for the next 24 to 48 hours due to the "complexity" of the blaze.
Crews are trying to "minimise" the impact on the local environment as much as possible, he adds.
He adds: "In Suffolk we want you to go out and enjoy our wild spaces and nature reserves, it's something we'd encourage
"But we'd really like you to be safe and wild-fire aware. Please be careful discarding rubbish, cigarette butts or [having] open fires.
"These can have dramatic and devastating effects to wild land and does make it extremely challenging in this heat for firefighters to manage."
For more than 18 hours, firefighters have been battling to bring a coastal heathland fire under control.
Here's what we know so far:
The deputy mayor of Aldeburgh, TJ Haworth-Culf, describes the fire as "deeply distressing" in a statement on social media, external.
"I know I speak on behalf of all my fellow councillors and community when I say how grateful and humbled we are by the courage, dedication and professionalism of everyone involved," she said.
"We are all hoping for positive news over the coming hours and that the fire can be brought safely under control."
"Our thoughts are also with the communities of Westleton and Dunwich, the visitors staying at the nearby caravan park, and the teams from the RSPB and National Trust who are working hard to create firebreaks and limit the spread of the fire."
The following road closures remain in place:
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service says changing wind conditions in the early hours of the morning are prompting more evacuations.
Winds are currently coming from the north-west and the fire is heading east.
More aerial pictures captured this morning show the heathland still burning heavily on the coastal site.
