AN INVESTIGATION was underway last night following a major field fire which flared up on the outskirts of Weymouth.

The fire threw up a huge plume of smoke which could be seen for miles around.

As many as 30 firefighters tackled the gorse and grass blaze on land at Chickerell next to the Fleet.

It is believed the cause is arson.

A large area of gorse was seen to be alight behind the Army rifle range next to the coastal path.

Crews were at the scene for several hours to bring the fire under control.

The cause is not yet known.

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that they had received an initial call at around 4.44pm.

Speaking this evening he said: “We currently have four fire engines and three off road Land Rovers in attendance as well as a command support vehicle.”

He added that approximately 30 firefighters had been sent to the scene.

The affected area was confirmed to have measured 100 metres by 80 metres.

It took three hours for the firefighters to surround the fire and begin dampening the area down.

A huge plume of smoke could be seen for miles while firefighters tackled the blaze.

One family said that they had seen the smoke from Dorchester Road in Weymouth while another eyewitness could see it from the Bowleaze area.

Mike Smith, 47, of Australia Road, Chickerell, said that he saw the smoke from his kitchen window and went to investigate further where he saw four fire engines at the scene of the blaze.

He said: “I went into the kitchen and saw the smoke.

“I was quite surprised at the extent of the fire.

Another resident said: "It looks like quite a large gorse fire. The smoke is billowing for miles.

"It looks like the smoke is coming from land that is part of the Army camp, and it is right by the water's edge."

A resident who lives near to the camp site added: “I could see about three fire engines down there. The flames were huge.”