A huge wildfire has spread onto the West Course at Wentworth
Huge Wildfire Breaks Out At Wentworth Golf Club
A huge wildfire has broken out at Wentworth in Surrey, causing the golf course to be abandoned during the Rose Ladies Series final round.
The fire broke out locally and spread onto the West Course, the most famous of the Surrey venue’s three courses, this afternoon.
Sky Sports News reported that the fire broke out on the nearby Chobham Common and spread across the railway line over to the course.
The BBC reported that eight fire crews were out tackling the blaze on Chobham Common, which started just after midday.
Eight fire crews have been tackling a fire on Chobham Common after reports between five and 10 hectares of undergrowth were alight at about 12:25. Crews remain at the scene, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service say. pic.twitter.com/csnU4w2kFI
— BBC South East (@bbcsoutheast) August 7, 2020
The wildfire looks to have hit the area around the par-3 10th hole hardest, and crews are on-site trying attempting to stop the spread.
A general view as police and event staff assess a fire and smoke as it nears the 10th hole during day three of The Rose Ladies Series on The West Course in the first ever ladies professional event at Wentworth Golf Club on August 07, 2020 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
The Wentworth Estate is heavily treelined and pictures showed the fire burning throughout the forest.
Sunningdale Golf Club, just south of Wentworth, has also been evacuated.
Massive heathland fire on common land next to Sunningdale Golf Club. Fire engines on the scene pic.twitter.com/ma0kJQji8q
— Daniel Wallace (@dnqwallace) August 7, 2020
Thankfully nobody has been injured.
Play has been suspended at the #RoseLadiesSeries Grand Final at Wentworth due to a nearby fire. Head to @SkySportsNews for the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/JBb6dWMdyK
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) August 7, 2020
“We currently have multiple Fire and Rescue vehicles in attendance at Chobham Common in Chobham dealing with a large wildfire. @SurreyPolice are in attendance and assisting with road closures. If you are on Chobham common please evacuate the area immediately for your safety,” Surrey Fire and Rescue wrote on social media.
Yello Helmet @RealSurrey is reporting that the fire is now a Major incident as it could spread to the nearby Longcross Film Studios and residential areas.
Temperatures in England were getting close to 40 degrees celsius on Friday.
Players were evacuated from the course, which was hosting the final round of the Rose Ladies Series.
Play is set to resume tomorrow at 9.30am.
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The West Course at Wentworth hosts the BMW PGA Championship each year and is due to host again in October.
The club is also home to offices of the European Tour.
Wentworth has three courses, the West, East and Edinburgh as well as tennis and spa clubs.
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