A large fire broke out on the Isle of Wight on Thursday morning, burning approximately one square kilometer of gorse on heathland at Headon Warren, a designated site of special scientific interest managed by the National Trust. The blaze was first reported at around 9 a.m. and was visible from as far as ten miles away.

Emergency services deployed roughly 80 firefighters to contain the fire, which affected a significant area of the environmentally sensitive heath. Fire officials indicated the blaze was likely man-made, citing the discovery of charred wooden blocks at the scene. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

No injuries have been reported, and the fire was brought under control after several hours of intense firefighting efforts. The National Trust expressed concern over the damage to the protected habitat, which is home to a variety of wildlife species.

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as investigations continue into how the fire started.