FIREFIGHTERS quickly extinguished a fire that sent plumes of smoke into the sky Bournemouth seafront.

The fire started on the seafront cliff in Southbourne, off Boscombe Overcliff Drive, less than an hour before the Night Air show was due to start on Thursday, August 29. 

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen as far as Burley in the New Forest and Purbeck according to some readers, but the fire was put out so quickly that it didn’t disrupt Night Air from starting on time. 

Brenda Lillywhite was sat outside waiting for the Night Air show to start when she spotted the “heavy” smoke enveloping the sky. 

(Image: Brenda Lillywhite)

(Image: Phil Broadhead)

She said: We are on the clifftop waiting for the night display and we're sat near the Cafe Riva. The fire is to the right of the cafe if you're looking out to the sea. 

"It's probably started by a discarded barbecue or a cigarette, but all the heavy smoke is now gone as the fire service sprayed and sprayed at the fire. 

"There's lots of fire engines and police cars here now." 

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's spokeswoman said five fire engines were sent down to tackle the fire, the cause of which is unknown at this stage. 

She said: "We received a call at 6.41pm this evening about a heath fire on Boscombe Overcliff Drive. 

"Crews from Springbourne, Christchurch, Westbourne, Redhill Park and Poole along with Poole’s water carrier were mobilised to the incident which involved an area of heathland, bushes and trees measuring approximately 150m x 200m. 

"The fire was extinguished using five hose reel jets and beaters. 

"Our stop was in at 7.15pm but two crews remained on scene to dampen down hotspots." 

When asked for a cause of the fire on Friday, the spokeswoman said an investigation is underway to find it, but that it is likely to have been caused by "human intervention" however the intent is unknown.

Dorset Police's spokeswoman added: "We received a report at 6.42pm on Thursday 29 August 2024 and officers attended to assist with road closures."