Firefighters battling a huge wildfire in Surrey have today told evacuated families not to return to their multi-million pound mansions after they declared the blaze a ‘major incident’.
Around 60 properties, home to around 100 people, have been evacuated from Heather Drive in Ascot, where homes are sold for around £2million, due to plumes of smoke in the air.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service told MailOnline that no other properties have so far been evacuated while today 25 vehicles have been sent to tackle the blaze for a second day.
The service has declared the fire a ‘major incident’ while several road closures remain in place – including Windsor Road from Titlarks Hill to Chertsey Road (B386) and part of Chertsey Road.
Yesterday Surrey Fire and Rescue Service sent 40 fire engines including two water carriers to fight the grass fire which started on Chobham Common and could be seen from central London.
Runnymede Council has told the public to keep clear of Chobham Common and surrounding areas, while Wentworth Golf Club cancelled its Rose Ladies Series Grand Final due to take place today.
In a statement, the embattled fire service urged Heather Drive homeowners not to return to their mansions and warned there was a level four risk of spreading wildfires during the mini-heatwave.
They said: ‘Crews remain on scene at the fire on Chobham Common which spread to around 150 acres at its peak.
‘Overnight the cooling temperatures and hard work of crews contained the spread but we’re expecting firefighters to be on scene through the day. Please avoid the area for your own safety.
They added: ‘A number of roads in the area remain closed and some properties were evacuated. Residents that were evacuated should not return to their homes.’
Firefighters battling a huge wildfire in Surrey have today told evacuated millionaire families not to return to their £2million homes after huge flames destroyed 150 acres of countryside
Around 60 properties, home to around 100 people, have been evacuated from Heather Drive in Ascot, where homes are sold for around £2million, due to plumes of smoke in the air
The fire continued to rage into last night and sent huge plumes of smoke into the sky that could be seen more than 20 miles away in west London and from tall buildings in central London
Around 60 houses, home to about 100 people, have been evacuated from Heather Drive in Ascot due to plumes of smoke in the air
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service told MailOnline no other properties have so far been evacuated while today they sent 25 vehicles to tackle the blaze for a second day
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: ‘The Fire Severity is currently at level 4. Meaning the risk of wildfires & rapid spread of fire can occur. Please take extra care if your (sic) out in the forestry/park areas. Please do not use disposable BBQs and ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished.’
The fire service told MailOnline that the cause of the blaze is being investigated, but added that the weather and mini-heatwave which has seen temperatures soar to nearly 100F played a role.
Eyewitnesses saw the fire from more than 20 miles away in west London and from tall buildings in central London.
Last night Surrey Police said: ‘The fire on Chobham Common is an ongoing incident with significant numbers of emergency services on the scene who are likely to remain there for some time. Please continue to avoid the area.
Homeowners are now being told not to go home as firefighters prepare for a second day of battle with the fire which began on Chobham Common
In a statement, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Crews remain on scene at the fire on Chobham Common which spread to around 150 acres at its peak’
‘Overnight the cooling temperatures and hard work of crews contained the spread but we’re expecting firefighters to be on scene through the day,’ the service said
The grand final of the Rose Ladies Series golf has been suspended after the huge fire encroached on Wentworth Golf Course in Surrey
‘Road closures are currently in place – as the below image shows – these are eastbound on the Chertsey Road (B386) at the junction with Brick Hill up to the roundabout with Windsor Road and Chobham Road, and then northbound on the Chobham Road from the roundabout to the junction with Onslow Road.
‘We are aware of reports of social media posts suggesting that residents can return to HEATHER DRIVE – this is not the case. Please DO NOT attempt to return home at this time.
‘We thank the public for their continued support of all multi-agency colleagues working on the ground.’
Play at the Rose Ladies Series Grand Final had to be halted and the final has been cancelled after a ‘wall of flames’ spread to Wentworth golf course.
At around 11.30pm last night, The Rose Ladies Series wrote on Twitter: ‘With a heavy heart, the Major Incident Command Centre have closed Wentworth tomorrow due to the severity of the ongoing fire risk.
‘The Grand Final restart is cancelled until further notice. Most importantly, players, caddies & staff must be safe.’
The fire started at around 12.25pm in Chobham Common before spreading to the nearby golf course
Griff Ryan, 23, who lives in Sunningdale near to the blaze, said the fire began with a ‘strange light’ at around 1pm before smoke and then later a ‘wall of flames’.
‘Smoke got gradually worse and ash began falling into our garden,’ he said.
‘Now standing on Chobham road. At around 5pm fire still wasn’t visible from the road.
‘Over about half an hour it’s become visible and now can see a wall of flames down towards the railway line.
‘Other residents I’ve spoken to have said it’s the worst they’ve seen in 30 years.’
Surrey Heath MP and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said he was ‘horrified’ by the damage caused by the fire.
The fire service said yesterday: ‘We received a call this afternoon around 12.25pm to a report of a fire on Chobham Common.
Ten fire engines have been sent in total, alongside multiple specialist vehicles, with the first arriving at the scene around 12.35pm
Chobham Road is closed between Titlarks Hill Road and the roundabout junction with Windsor Road and Chertsey Road
‘Ten fire engines have been sent in total, alongside multiple specialist vehicles, with the first arriving at the scene around 12.35pm.
‘Approximately 41 hectares of grass and undergrowth are alight. Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.’
Surrey Police added: ‘Surrey Fire and Rescue are working hard to get the fire under control, and we are assisting with evacuations and road closures.
‘If you are on the common you need to evacuate immediately, following instructions from the police and fire officers on the ground.
‘If you decided to walk off the common, but have left a vehicle in one of the car parks, please message us immediately so we can account for you.
‘The fire is travelling fast due to the wind, and there is also a risk of reduced visibility due to smoke.
The blaze could be seen for miles around including from tall buildings in central London
‘If you are affected by the smoke from the fire please keep windows and doors shut to avoid health problems.’
Pro golfer Felicity Johnson told Sky News Sports News: ‘I was just on ninth green, the group ahead had teed up and then we could see a lot of smoke.
‘We could see it moving in the distance and it seemed to get closer pretty quickly. We waited five to ten minutes and it was the noise that was pretty scary.
‘We all know how fast fire can travel and then we saw ash landing on our clothes.’
According to Sky Sports News, no one has been injured on the golf club but everyone was asked to leave the West Course.
Smoke from the fire was visible in London and had earlier been mistakenly thought to be coming from Heathrow airport by some on social media.
The fire stops play as the group of Cara Gainer, Sophie Powell and Gabriella Cowley wait to play off during day three of The Rose Ladies Series on The West Course at Wentworth Golf Club
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said it sent 10 fire engines, two water carriers and 10 other vehicles to tackle the blaze
MP for Surrey Heath Michael Gove said: ‘I’m horrified by the damage this wildfire has done to Chobham Common – and hope people will heed this evacuation warning – thanks to Surrey Fire and Rescue service for their bravery in tackling this terrible tragedy.’
Ash assumed to be from the fire has been reported to have fallen on homes as far as Windsor.
Councillor for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said: ‘Ash is now falling in my garden in Windsor.
‘I can only assume from Chobham. It must be a huge fire.’
The railway at Longcross in Surrey was blocked and trains could pass because the fire encroached on the line.
Police vehicles attend the blaze that began on Chobham Common, Surrey, and spread to Wentworth golf course
Approximately 41 hectares of grass and undergrowth are alight. Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire
The Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats said: ‘Trains between Reading and Waterloo will run between Reading and Ascot or Waterloo and VirginiaWater, with replacement transport between Ascot and Virginia Water.
‘Disruption expected until 8pm.’
Chobham Road was closed between Titlarks Hill Road and the roundabout junction with Windsor Road and Chertsey Road.
Rose Ladies Series is a one-off professional women’s tournament, consisting of seven single day competitions, culminating in a three-day grand final.
The golf has been suspended for the rest of the day and plans to continue the final round at 9.30am tomorrow morning have been cancelled.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has been approached for comment.