Motorists are told 'flee your vehicles if you want to stay alive' as huge fire spreads across A31

A vehicle fire has ignited dry bracken and heathland near the New Forest in Hampshire, causing a major wildfire along the westbound A31. Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze after receiving 160 emergency calls. Traffic came to a complete halt, and motorists were urgently instructed to flee their vehicles to stay alive as flames spread rapidly across the tinderbox terrain. Emergency services continue to manage the scene while working to contain the spreading fire.