A31 fire live: New Forest wildfire breaks out as drivers told 'flee if you want to stay alive'

A31 fire live: New Forest wildfire breaks out as drivers told 'flee if you want to stay alive' Firefighters are tackling the blaze after 160 calls were made following a vehicle fire that spread to dry heathland A huge blaze has broken out after a vehicle fire spread to dry heathland on the A31 in the New Forest, Hampshire. More than 20 fire engines are trying to extinguish the blaze after a vehicle fire spread, with firefighters set to remain on site 'for the foreseeable future'. Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Fire Service said that they have a 'significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control'. The blaze broke out just after 5.24pm on Sunday, with drivers ordered by police to ditch their cars in an attempt to escape from the flames. The road is closed in both directions. The westbound carriageway is closed between the M27 J2 (Ower) and the A338 (Ringwood). The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 J1 (Cadnam). This is a live news story, follow below for updates. According to the fire and rescue service the A31 remains closed, and the closure is expected to continue into Monday. Barbara, who got stuck on the A31 yesterday, told the Bournemouth Echo 'it was horrendous'. She said: “We had to pull over and stop. It was horrendous. The fire was spreading. “You could feel the heat inside the car. We didn’t know what had happened and the smoke was pretty awful.” The fire service have confirmed that there is no need for properties to be evacuated at the moment. A spokesperson said: "We understand residents in the area may be concerned. At present, there is no need for any properties to be evacuated. "Should this situation change, affected households will be contacted directly. We will also provide updates through our social media channels." Drivers that were made to 'abandon cars' reportedly have no idea when they will be able to get them back. According to posts on social media families were made to leave their cars on the road for their own safety and evacuate the area. Drivers have expressed their concerns about retrieving their vehicles as it seems some people were able to turn around and make it home without having to ditch their cars. HIWFRS Fire Control received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle fire on the eastbound A31 at approximately 5:24pm.The fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland.Crews from across Hampshire, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene.The A31 is currently closed between Picket Post and Junction 2 of the M27 due to the vehicle fire.Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes wherever possible. Please follow diversion signs, allow extra time for your journey and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely.The incident is ongoing and further updates will follow. Drivers were urged to get out of their vehicles by emergency services as the fire spead. People were walking on the dual carriageway to get to safety. One driver recalled the 'scary experience'. She said: "It was scary. They made us leave our cars and walk across the A31 eastbound. We were out for about 90 minutes." The police were reportedly running down the dual carriageway at the time of the fire, directing those in their cars. One driver posted online: "We were lucky. "The traffic came to a standstill and the police were running down the dual carriageway and telling us to turn around immediately. It was coming towards us." Hampshire fire crews, supported by colleagues from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, are currently attending the incident. A total of 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles are on scene. The fire service has urged that all doors and windows are closed in the area. A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Our Control Room are still receiving a large number of calls reporting smoke from the A31 fire, spreading to areas across both sides of the Solent - if you are affected, please close your doors and windows." Traffic travelling eastbound is advised to follow the below diversion route - not symbol led. - Exit the A31 at Ashley Heath roundabout onto the A338. - Continue south on the A338 towards Bournemouth. - At the Cooper Dean roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A3060. - Continue on the A3060 to the Iford roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A35. - Continue on the A35 through Christchurch, Hinton Admiral, Allum Green, Lyndhurst and Ashurst until you reach the A326. - Head northbound on the A326 to re-join the M27 at J2 (Ower Interchange). Some drivers 'went straight through the flames' when the blaze occurred on Sunday evening. One driver said: "It happened so fast. Some drivers just went straight through the flames. "Others did emergency stops, turned around and tried to get back along the carriageway. It was sheer panic." Traffic travelling westbound is advised to follow the below diversion route - not symbol led. - Exit the M27 at J2 (Ower Interchange) onto the A327 towards Ashurst Bridge. - Join the A35 and head southbound on the A35 through Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Hinton Admiral and Christchurch. - At the Iford roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A3060 towards the Cooper Dean roundabout. - At the Cooper Dean roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A338. - Continue northbound on the A338 to the Ashley Heath roundabout to re-join the A31. The New Forest National Park have posted an update on the blaze. The statement said: "Emergency services are dealing with a large heathland fire near Picket Post after a vehicle caught fire on the A31 earlier this evening and the blaze spread to the countryside. "Nearly 30 appliances are in attendance. Please avoid the area." Drivers on the dual carriageway were told to flee their vehicles 'if you want to stay alive'. Traffic came to a halt juts before 5.30pm when the van went up in flames, with drivers ordered to get out of their cars by police. A policewoman told drivers to get out of their cars and move to the central reservation 'if you want to stay alive'. People have left their vehicles on the road with no time frame of when they can be collected. Welcome to our live coverage of this incident. Here's everything we know so far: - The A31 in Hampshire is closed in both directions due to a HGV fire which has spread to the adjacent verges and trees. - Drivers were urged to 'flee their vehicles' as the fire broke out just before 5.30pm - The M27 is also closed from Junction 2