EMERGENCY services tackled a heath fire which spread to nearby properties in Poole.

Fire crews responded to the heath fire in the Bourne Valley area after receiving ‘multiple’ calls from the public shortly after 6pm on Friday.

On arrival, the heath was alight and the blaze had spread to the fence panels of several nearby properties.

Crews from Redhill and Springbourne used three hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, whilst people were told to avoid the area.

The on site watch manager from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “We arrived to this area of heathland alight and it had spread to several properties’ fence panels.

"Everybody is fine and everything is out. There is just some damage to the heath and fence panels.”

An earlier tweet by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “We're receiving multiple calls about a heath fire in the #BourneValley area of #Poole.

"We have crews in attendance from @DWFRSRedhill, @DWFRSSpringbrne and a 4x4 pumping appliance from @DWFRSPooleFire. Please avoid the area."

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.