Fire breaks out near Cromer Lighthouse

Five crews were called to the area on cliffs east of the town at 10.10am (Wednesday) and were still engaged at the scene as of 11am.

A column of thick, white smoke could be seen rising over the area earlier, and the smoke has since turned a darker, browish-grey colour.

Fire crews had not been able to get their vehicles too close to the fire, and so have been using extendable hoses to battle the blaze.

Tracey Hall, the wife of lighthouse keeper, Michael Hall, said an area of bracken between the clifftop Royal Cromer Golf Club and the beach was affected.

A thick column of smoke rises from the scene of the fire in Cromer. Picture: Jeremiah Williamson

She said: 'The fire is in the basin between the beach and the golf course.'

Sue Meek, a holidaymaker who is staying at the lighthouse cottages, said she went outside for a cup of tea when she saw bits of ash floating through the air.

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue spokesman said: 'The first appliance was there at 10.22am and there's no stop sign as yet. It's a grassland fire. There's currently five appliances there.'

Crews from Cromer, Fakenham, Mundesley, North Walsham and Sheringham fire stations are involved in the response at the scene of the blaze, off Cromer Road. The spokesman said an ambulance had also been called to the scene.

Smoke can be seen rising from the scene of the blaze near Cromer Lighthouse, as seen from the prom near Cromer Pier. Picture: STUART ANDERSON (Image: Archant)

-Have you taken any pictures or video of the fire? Share them by emailing to stuart.anderson@Archant.co.uk

A Norfolk Fire and Rescue Crw rushes through the centre of Cromer on its way to the scene of the blaze near Cromer Lighthouse. Picture: STUART ANDERSON (Image: Archant)

Smoke can be seen rising from the scene of the blaze near Cromer Lighthouse, as seen from the prom near Cromer Pier. Picture: STUART ANDERSON (Image: Archant)

Smoke can be seen rising from the scene of the blaze near Cromer Lighthouse. Picture: DAVID BALE (Image: Archant)

Smoke can be seen rising from the scene of the blaze near Cromer Lighthouse. Picture: DAVID BALE (Image: Archant)