'Summer holidays quickly turned to horror in scenes from disaster movies as wildfire ravaged Suffolk'

The smell of smoke fogs the air as sirens sound from passing fire engines and helicopters hover overhead. The scene is reminiscent of a disaster movie, but it is all too real to residents and holidaymakers here in the area of Dunwich, rural Suffolk, where around 120 firefighters in 18 engines continue to tackle the 100-hectare blaze. At least 47 people, including babies, as well as five dogs, a cat and a mouse, were evacuated from lodges and caravans at Cliff House holiday park, near Dunwich Heath, after the fire began at around 5pm on Wednesday night. They were later taken two miles to a pop-up rescue centre at Westleton Village Hall, where dozens of kind-hearted locals fed and watered them before offering them lodging in their spare rooms. Among the evacuees was a mum-of-two on holiday from Southampton, who told how she and her family had to quickly evacuate their family-owned static caravan with their two young sons in their pyjamas with such haste they forgot to bring the children’s shoes. The woman, who did not want to named, said: “It was scary. We just kind of grabbed them and left. They’re still in their pyjamas - no shoes. "We first saw the smoke at around 7pm while eating our dinner. It very quickly with the change of wind took a very different direction. As soon as we left the caravan, we were straight out into the smoke." Other evacuees included midwife Jude Bayly, 73, from north London, who slept in her car after evacuating her caravan. She said: “I’ve never done such chaotic packing in my life. You don’t have any sense of order. I tried to sleep but we could just see the plumes of smoke getting nearer and nearer. You could see the red sky and the flames licking higher and higher. It was really, really scary. It’s so devastating as it’s such a beautiful area." Rob Gordon, 56, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, was also among those evacuated alongside his wife and dog. The couple had been enjoying their holiday when police warned them they may have to leave. The delivery driver said: “Unfortunately, I’d had a couple of beers so I couldn’t drive us away. On site, we couldn’t see the smoke that much, but when the police escorted us out, the late evening sun was catching the smoke, which turned it bright red. It was apocalyptic.” Evacuees were tonight being fed and looked after by volunteers at Westleton Village Hall. Among them was Barry Banks, 52, who has lived in the village full-time for the past five years. He said: “We were fully open and operational for refreshments from about 10pm on Wednesday night and then we heard that people were being evacuated from the campsites up until about midnight, 1am. “We managed to get 47 people housed with the village. Everyone that turned up here was successfully housed. It was a mixture of accommodation, but I’d say about 80-90% was people’s houses. It was a great effort. We’re very proud. “We arrived this morning to cook a full breakfast for everyone that was housed overnight.” The fire has overtaken "a sizeable chunk" of the nearby RSPB Minsmere reserve, but officials last night played down fears it could reach the nearby Sizewell B nuclear power station. However, they warned the fire is still travelling through forestry and admitted they are facing a challenge to put it out, which they expect could continue for between 24 to 36 hours. Residents are now being told to keep their windows and doors closed and to stand by in case further evacuations are needed. Suffolk Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey appeared at the rescue centre, where he spoke to residents and evacuees. He admitted: "It's a very dynamic and fast-paced incident. I wouldn't say the fire is surrounded and we're on top of it because it moves faster than we're able to deal with it. It's very challenging. The flames are quite high." "The fire in terms of its size isn't getting significantly bigger, but it's travelling. We have seen it grow a little bit, with the warm conditions and the daylight conditions with the wind and it depends where the wind goes and what is in front of it as to how much bigger it will get." Mr Lacey admitted it is too early to establish what started the fire and he cannot say when residents and holidaymakers may be able to return to their properties. He added: "I'm devastated for the people who have had to relocate. I know it's really scary and quite worrying. We're flooding it with resources to do the very best we can for them. "At this rest centre you can really feel the community spirit and see how everyone is pulling together to help."