glamping campsite evacuated at BoomTown Fair

BoomTown Fair 2016

Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th August 2016
Matterley Estate, near Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HW, England MAP
from £170 for the weekend

Daily capacity: 60,000

Last updated: Fri 22nd Jul 2016

Thick plumes of black smoke have been filling the skies above the Boomtown Fair, the festival with an on going narrative now on Chapter 8: 'The Revolution Starts Now' happening this weekend at Matterley Estate, nr. Winchester, in Hampshire.

A fire in the west car parks has drawn over 30 firefighters to the scene, and revellers and those concerned about their cars have been warned to stay away while fire crews fight the flames. It's not known if it's part of the revolution which is the talk of the festival's streets.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said to itv that, "A significant fire has broken out affecting 14 vehicles. The boutique camp site next to the car park has been evacuated as a precaution. There are no reports of any injuries."

eFestivals believes a car caught fire out in a car park that is a stubble field and it's been so hot that the dry straw meant it spread to a few other cars but the smoke has gone now (6.45pm). Organisers have sent a bunch of telehandlers out to move cars and make a fire break.

Those attending the sold out event have already been enjoying acts like Ozric Tentacles, and an incredible build sitewide including a steam train and the new District 6 area that dominates the skyline is sure to be impressive as it sparks to life under the clear skies for the Perseid meteor shower tonight.

UPDTAE: The fire destroyed 80 cars and Hampshire Fire Service said that their investigation has concluded that a discarded cigarette igniting stubble around the parked cars is the probable cause.

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service Area Manager Steve Foye stated,"This devastating fire shows the danger and impact of discarding lit cigarettes. In the summer a fire like this is more likely to take hold quickly and can grow out of control in minutes. Smokers should always ensure that cigarettes or cigars are fully extinguished and disposed of properly, and under no circumstances left unattended. Not only can they cause damage to property and our environment but they can put people’s lives at risk."

The line-up includes Madness, Damian Marley, Leftfield, Fat Freddy's Drop, Levellers, Afro Celt Sound System, Parov Stelar, Molotov Jukebox, The Correspondents, Asian Dub Foundation, Babylon Circus, Bad Manners, Beans on Toast, Beardyman, Big D and the Kids Table, Dhol Foundation, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Imelda May, Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate, Lau, Leftover Crack, Los De Abajo, Mad Caddies, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Mokoomba, Molotov Jukebox, Nahko and Medicine for the People, The Neville Staple Band, Ojos De Brujo, Seth Lakeman, Shooglenifty, Skinny Lister, Sonic Boom Six, Steve'n'Seagulls, Talco, The Correspondents, The Dickies, The Selecter, The Slackers, Benny Page vs Ed Solo, Channel One meets Mad Professor, Congo Natty & Tenor Fly, The Heatwave presents Showtime (feat Big Narstie, Tippa Iris, General Levy, Flowoan, Nadia Rose, Serocee, Demolition Man, Skibadee, Eva Laurus, Rodney P, Solo Banton), Inner Circle, Junior Kelly, Kabaka Pyramid & The Bebble Rockers, Kiko Bun, Little Roy, Manudigital, Morgan Heritage, Mungo's Hi Fi Sound System, Prince Fatty ft. Horseman, MC Soom T, Tanya Stephens, Tarrus Riley, The Skints, Wrongtom meets Ragga Twins, Zion Train, Audio, Calibre, Calyx & Teebee, Cause4Concern, Critical Sound (feat. Mefjus, Kasha, Emperor, Foreign Concept, Ivy Lab, Enei, Sam Binga) , Billain, Deep Medi Takeover, Diemantle Aka Die & Dismantle, DJ Craze, Zinc, Dub Phizix & Strategy, Dynamite MC, Foreign Beggars, Hype, Hazard, Jus Now, Koan Sound, Levelz, Mele, MJ Cole, My Nu Leng & Dread MC, Newham Generals, Om Unit, Pharoahe Monch, Roni Size & DJ Krust, So Solid Crew, Special Request, Swindle, Submotion Orchestra, and more.

This summer also sees the rise of a new area Sector 6, and in total there will be over 100 stages, across 9 districts. For the line-up details, and stage splits of the main venues as available see the BoomTown Fair line-up page.

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