Massive Fire in England, British Police Warn Drivers: Abandon Your Vehicles to Save Yourselves

British police issued an urgent appeal to drivers to leave their vehicles “if they wanted to stay alive,” after a van caught fire a day earlier and sparked a massive blaze in the New Forest, amid scrubland and vegetation dried out by high temperatures.

Police blocked traffic on the road, while motorists were instructed to move to the sides. One officer said that “unattended cars are effectively bombs when they explode.” According to the officer, the van is believed to have caught fire while on the road, immediately igniting the surrounding scrubland.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews would remain at the scene. More than 20 fire engines have been deployed in efforts to bring the blaze under control.

According to British media reports, the fire service received more than 160 emergency calls during the alarming incident.

Numerous wildfires have been recorded across the United Kingdom this year, fuelled by several heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures.

Some of the fires have prompted mass evacuations ordered by the authorities, as well as damage to property and protected habitats.

A coordinated multi-agency response has been required to tackle many of these fires. Meanwhile, fire authorities have raised risk levels and issued warnings due to worsening weather conditions.