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Steam railway 'causes seventh summer fire'

BWard 1997/Wikimedia Commons A steam train - painted red, green and black - on the railway line by Corfe Castle ruins, which are mounted on a grassy hill. There is steam billowing from the train.BWard 1997/Wikimedia Commons
The fire is believed to have been caused by a steam train near Corfe Castle

A steam train on a heritage line has caused a seventh fire by the attraction this summer, a fire service has said.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service sent three vehicles to a field blaze near Corfe Castle at about 13:15 BST on Monday.

It said the fire was quickly put out and crews spent some time damping down.

Swanage Railway, which operates between Swanage and Norden - via Corfe, has been approached for comment.

Steam railway 'causes seventh summer fire'

According to its website on Tuesday, the line is currently running heritage diesel rather than steam trains due to a "high fire risk".

In a statement, the fire service said: "It is believed to have been caused by the steam train.

"Since 1 June 2025, we've had seven similar incidents reported in this area."

Temperatures have now cooled following the UK's third heatwave of the year. Highs of 20C (68F) are expected in Corfe Castle on Tuesday.

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