"INAPPROPRIATE" parking delayed firefighters responding to a fire in Verwood. 

The incident involving a field containing solar panels was reported to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service at around 2.45pm on Monday, July 11. 

Crews from Verwood, Ferndown, Wimborne were called to the scene along with small 4x4 appliances from Verwood, Ringwood and Cranborne, and a water carrier from Poole.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to a field containing solar panels off St Michael’s Road, Verwood at 2.43pm yesterday where an area of approx. 150m x 100m was well alight.

"Crews from Verwood, Ferndown and Wimborne attended. The stop came at 4.37pm, and we were away from scene by 6pm.

However, the incident has prompted a warning from Verwood Fire Station, who said: "The pump was significantly delayed due to the poor parking along Margards Lane and Howe Lane.

The pump had to reverse and seek an alternative route to the fire. This allowed the fire to spread further."

Firefighters spent in the region of three hours battling to get the fire under control and with the hot weather expected to continued motorists are urged to to ensure they "not to park inappropriately". 

The Verwood Fire Station spokesperson said: "With the weather forecasting continued extreme hot weather, the fire service would like to remind the public not to park inappropriately or block access points to heathland and to please consider how their parking may impact emergency vehicles."