Heartfelt appeal after 90 firefighters from Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire tackle Brandon forest fire

A Suffolk fire chief has made a heartfelt appeal to the public after 90 firefighters from three counties were called to tackle a forest fire last night.

Firefighters were called to Brandon Forest at about 5.30pm yesterday evening.

Some 31 appliances from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire were used to tackle the blaze near a country park - using hoses, beaters and misting units. Four remain at the scene.

Around 15 acres of Brandon forest caught fire during the incident.

The blaze was under control at 9.27pm and fire crews began to scale down their response.

A number of crews remained at the scene throughout the night however to check for hotspots and to damp down the area, preventing reignition.

In a heartfelt Twitter post, Suffolk fire service general manager, Wil Tel, said: last night: "Crews were faced with a significant, developing forest fire and quickly called for additional resources.

"Specialist supplies included 4x4s, a water bowser, misting units and a number of other specialist equipment to help us extinguish the fire.

"Temperatures remain extremely high at the moment and I appeal to all people to be especially careful at the moment about what they do, particularly around naked flames, barbeques and discarded cigarettes.

"The forest is particularly vulnerable and fires can start very quickly.

"I appeal to all people to follow the safety advice and stay safe."

Fire crews included crews from Bury St Edmunds, Brandon, Thetford, Diss, Cambridge, Haverhill, Woodbridge, Elmswell, Ixworth, Littleport, East Harling, Mildenhall, Newmarket.

Police were also in attendance.