Major wildfire erupts at UK nature reserve as 8 fire crews battle blaze and public warned ‘stay away’

FIRECREWS are tackling a grassland blaze spreading rapidly across a nature reserve as locals are urged to avoid the area. Emergency services were called to a wildfire at Barr Beacon in Birmingham earlier this afternoon. Firecrews are tackling a grassland blaze spreading rapidly across a nature reserve Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Emergency services were called to a wildfire at Barr Beacon in Birmingham earlier this afternoon Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Beacon Road has been closed in both directions from B4151 Beacon Hill to Bridle Lane. It follows two more wildfires which broke out across the city today within hours of each other. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The first blaze started at Perry Hall Playing Fields at 12.45pm, with huge plumes of smoke seen billowing from the park. Dramatic aerial shots show firefighters working to tackle the flames across already scorched land. The affected area runs nearby to a railway line off Cherry Orchard Road. West Midlands Fire Service said they had six crews in attendance at Perry Avenue and advised the public to steer clear of the area. The fire was understood to be extinguished at around 1.40pm this afternoon, with firecrews dampening down the area. Another wildfire broke out at a park in Hay Mills at around 4pm and is not yet under control, according to fire services. Most read in The Sun Shocking footage shows flames ripping through the dry grass at Kingfisher Park. It comes after an inferno engulfed Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday evening. Terrified residents were evacuated from their homes and caravans as the blaze ravaged approximately 150 acres of the scenic landscape. Over 120 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, located just three miles from Sizewell B nuclear power station. A major incident was declared “due to the size and complexity” of the wildfire. Chief fire officer of Suffolk’s Fire and Rescue Service, Jon Lacey described the fire as “one of the largest that I remember in the history of Suffolk”. The wildfire crept within metres of Harry Potter actor Ralph Fiennes’ property, with shocking aerial footage showing scorched land bordering his home.