A large fire broke out at Bournemouth beach yesterday (Mon, 20th July) in front of hundreds of sunbathers – supposedly started by cooking, emergency services have said.

An unidentified beachgoer was cooking in one of the many beach huts that line West Undercliff promenade “accidentally” started the fire at 3.50pm, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Two other beach huts caught fire and sent smoke billowing up the cliff face, with the flames spreading to 330sq ft of scrubland above the beach, the service added.

Hundreds of people watched as eight fire engines tackled the blaze – Dorset Police cordoned off the area and warned people to stay away.