FIREFIGHTERS spent three hours battling a blaze that threatened to destroy the heart of Puddletown Forest.

The blaze, in an area of woodland cleared earlier by the Forestry Commission, was sparked by an unattended smouldering campfire, at 3am, yesterday.

Flames leapt 10ft into the air as more than 30 Dorset Fire and Rescue Service firefighters attempted to encircle the fire.

Despite tough conditions, including impassable tracks that hampered fire engines, the emergency workers managed to stop it spreading to the rest of the forest.

No one was injured but a 100m x 40m swathe of land was devastated.

Weymouth station manager Phil Head said: “Initially we had problems finding the fire, as it was in the middle of the forest.

“Once we located it, another major difficulty was it had started on the brow of a hill and spread down a steep incline.

“The narrow, rutted tracks also made it difficult for us to get to it.”

Praising his fire crews, he added: “It had real potential to spread beyond the tree line.”

The area was a clearance site, full of felled trees, branches and smaller twigs that became perfect kindling, especially because of the recent dry spell.

Two fire engines, five Land Rovers, a special 4x4 vehicle and a water carrier attended the scene.

Libby Holmes, of the Forestry Commission, the organisation which manages the land, said: “Fires are not permitted on Forestry Commission land and barbecues are only permitted at designated car parks with water available.”