Festival goers watch as cars go up in smoke

One of the festival's campsites was evacuated as firefighters battled the enormous blaze in the west car park.

Huge plumes of black smoke billowed over the site and were visible from as far as Winchester city centre.

No casualties have been reported.

The first picture here was taken by Journal News Editor Joe Riddle, who was one of those at the festival. He said: "The first we knew of it was a massive plume of smoke. Firemen had to work hard to get to the scene and then the area was isolated while they fought the fire."

The blaze erupted at around 4.15pm and took over an hour to get under control. The flames are now out.

South Central Ambulance Service said around 80 vehicles are burnt out, though Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service put the estimate at 60.

Firefighters sent six pumps to the scene and are still advising people to avoid the area.

A fire was reported by a member of the BoomTown Fair security team at 16.16 on Friday 12th August in the West car park of the festival. All car parks are located outside of the festival.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, were immediately called to attend to the incident.

"BoomTown’ Fair immediately mobilised its onsite fire teams, security and all available staff to the scene.

"Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and Hampshire Police, together with the Boomtown Fair staff contained the incident and the fire has now been extinguished. Hampshire fire and Rescue remain onsite to monitor the affected area. No injuries have been reported.

"Areas close to the fire within the festival were evacuated as precaution. All of these areas have been assessed and have been reinstated for public access. The West Car Park will remain closed until the investigations by the fire and police services have been concluded.

"At this stage no cause of the fire has been established.

"Boomtown Fair event management team are working to identify and support all festival goers whose cars may have been affected.

"No festival performances have been affected by the incident and the weekend events are continuing as planned.

"The immediate, rapid and co-ordinated response by our staff, contractors and agencies resulted in the swift containment of this incident to the car park area only.  There are no reported injuries and we are assisting the fire investigation team and the police with all their inquiries. Anyone affected by this fire will be fully supported by our welfare and event staff."