Neighbouring residents feared for their homes when grassland caught fire and blazed across a large part of Rockwood Estate, Brook, as the temperature soared on Sunday afternoon (Aug 5).

The plume of smoke could be seen from as far away as the coast at West Wittering, Sussex.

Witley resident Chris Martin, who lives in Roke Lane close to Barrow Hills School, spotted the start of the fire on estate farmland opposite his house just before 3.30pm and called Surrey Fire and Rescue.

Emergency services sent 16 fire appliances to the scene, including firefighters from Haslemere and Godalming. Surrey Police also attended and the road was closed in both directions.

Firefighters remained at the scene until after 7pm, including specialist wildfire units.

Thankfully, the fire was contained before it spread to the six homes, including Mr Martin’s house, bordering the fields. But the blaze came frighteningly close.

Mr Martin, who took this video footage as the fire spread, said: “Thank God it was a still afternoon. It would only have taken a little gust of wind and it could have been a very different story. The fire moved so quickly. It crackled across the hill, then came back on itself.

“It was lucky it was a Sunday and we were sitting in our garden and saw it happen and called 999. Our daughters were very upset and had their best toys with them, ready to go if we had to leave our home.”

*See Thursday’s Haslemere Herald for full story.