Major incident declared in Surrey as fire breaks out on Hankley Common | UK news

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Fire services have declared a major incident due to a large blaze at a beauty spot in Surrey.

Several fire engines were sent to the scene at Hankley Common, where the fire was estimated to have affected at least 8 hectares (20 acres) of land, the Surrey fire and rescue service said. Images and footage from the scene showed flames and large plumes of smoke billowing across the common.

People have been advised to avoid the area, with a warning to stay “far away from the fire as it can travel quickly”. The fire service also urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed as there was a “great deal of smoke”.

The fire service said it was called just after midday on Sunday and that it expected crews to remain at the scene until at least Monday. The cause of the blaze was unknown, it added.

The common was used for filming part of the James Bond film Skyfall.

Smoke rises from Hankley Common on Sunday. Photograph: Matthew Allen/Twitter/PA

The fire service tweeted: “We have declared a major incident at Hankley Common due to a large fire in the open.

“We have several fire engines in attendance. There is a great deal of smoke so please avoid the area, windows and doors should be closed if nearby and pets kept indoors.”

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Surrey police officers said they were assisting their fire service colleagues and that Thursley Road, which runs alongside the common, had been closed.

While it said the reason for the blaze had not yet been established, the fire service urged people to “please help keep our outdoors safe: pack a picnic instead of a disposable bbq & of cigarettes correctly”.

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