Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze near a nuclear power plant in Suffolk as authorities declared a “major incident” and residents have been evacuated.

At least 90 firefighters are tackling the “large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire” which broke out on Dunwich Heath on Wednesday, the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said.

Residents in several coastal properties and caravans have been evacuated as crews issued an urgent plea for people to stay away from the area.

There is no current risk to Sizewell B – a nuclear power station which provides electricity to 2.5 million households – due to the distance of the fire, but firefighters warn it is a “live and dynamic situation”.

It comes after forecasters warned any wildfires that break out in the South of England this week could become “exceptionally severe” due to a prolonged spell of hot and dry weather across the country.

The UK has experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, with four heatwaves and a severe dry spell that has left the landscape parched.

At the height of the third heatwave in mid-July, firefighters were battling 19 significant wildfires simultaneously in England and Wales.

Wildfire tears through Suffolk heath as ‘major incident’ declared

Firefighters are battling a “large-scale” wildfire on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk this morning as authorities declared a “major incident”.

Residents are being evacuated from the area after the blaze broke out on Wednesday evening, with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service urging people to stay away from the area.

Around 90 firefighters worked overnight tackling the flames in what the fire service called “arduous conditions”.