Britain’s biggest nuclear power station is on alert over a large wildfire just three miles away.
Around 120 firefighters and 18 fire engines are battling a blaze at Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, a few miles from the Sizewell B nuclear plant, which provides 3 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs.
EDF, which operates the plant, said that it was “continuing to monitor the situation” and insisted there was no cause for concern about the site’s safety because the wind was not blowing southwards.
It is understood that the power station has an emergency plan in place which covers a range of scenarios, including a fire on site.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has warned that the blaze could continue for another two days, and said it was treating the fire as a “live and dynamic situation”.
Hundreds of properties have been evacuated as firefighters tackle the large heathland blaze.
Experts warned that Britain could see “exceptionally severe” wildfires during the fourth heatwave this year, which follows a spell of record-breaking temperatures.
