Fire breaks out in Dartmoor national park

A huge fire has broken out on Dartmoor in Devon, visible from many miles away.

Photographs and footage showed a wide swathe of orange flames burning quickly, and the night sky was illuminated by the flames.

Fire crews rushed to tackle the blaze, which erupted despite temperatures being at or below freezing.

There were fears for the national park’s famous ponies.

Witnesses said the fire, at Tavy Cleave in the west of the park, could be seen from as far away as Plymouth and parts of Cornwall.

There was speculation as to whether forecast snow might help contain the flames.

Fire crews have deployed five pumps and five wildfire vehicles to the area, several miles north of Tavistock.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews were working to establish the extent of the blaze, and were working with local farmers.

They would investigate its cause, they added.

There were no immediate reports of people or animals being hurt, the spokesperson said, but fire chiefs appealed to people to keep away.