UK firefighters are battling a blaze just three miles from the country’s biggest nuclear power station, Sizewell B, as the facility which provides around three percent of the UK’s electricity has been put on alert.
The latest reports suggest around 120 firefighters and 18 fire engines trying to contain the fire in Dunwich Heath, near Leiston.
The plant operator, EDF, said that they were monitoring the situation continuously; however, they appeared optimistic, stating that the wind was blowing southwards.
An industry insider has warned that if the wind changes its direction, it could have “serious” implications for the power plant as smoke could clog up the filters of the site’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
They also warned that the fire could also force the plant to stop power generation, potentially leaving thousands of homes without electricity. It has been revealed that the power plant has a backup plan in place covering such emergency situations, including the fire on site.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has warned that the department was treating the blaze as a “live and dynamic situation,” while warning that the fire could continue burning for another two days.
Speaking to Sky News, the fire chief detailed what his service needs to combat the blaze effectively.
He said, “We need bulk water carriers and off-road vehicles to be able to get into the undergrowth and the woodland areas, to be able to tackle it directly.”
Wildfire in Pictures
This comes just after the UK Environmental Agency (EA) declared half of the country under drought conditions due to fourth heatwave of the summer and critically low rainfall.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also reacted to the situation, assuring that the Suffolk fire department have “all the support” it needs from the government to contain the blaze.
He said: “Well obviously we have got the situation under close monitoring. I am receiving regular updates.” PM Burnham described the fire as a “serious incident.”
2026-07-30 19:48:00
