More than 100 firefighters are continuing to tackle a wildfire that has grown to the size of 210 football pitches (150 hectares) and has been burning for more than 24 hours on the Suffolk coast.

The county’s fire service said the “unprecedented” blaze broke out on Dunwich Heath, near Leiston, at about 17:00 BST on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Sizewell B nuclear power station, about three miles (5km) from the fire, said it was monitoring the “dynamic situation”.

The fire service said its response to the fire would continue for another 48 hours at least, and that changing wind conditions were making it difficult to predict how it may spread.

Homes and a holiday caravan park were evacuated after the fire broke out and there are fears for rare birds and wildlife whose home is the heath and nearby RSPB Minsmere.

The “large-scale, wind-driven” fire was declared a major incident on Thursday morning, due to the size and complexity of the blaze which was helped by south-westerly winds.

On Thursday evening, Suffolk’s chief fire officer, Jon Lacey, said: “Eighteen fire engines and 120 firefighters are involved in the response, but difficult terrain and limited access routes are making it hard for crews to reach some areas of the wildfire.”

He confirmed approximately 100 to 150 people had been evacuated from their accommodation.

An update on the fire service’s website said it was being supported by firefighters from neighbouring brigades, with engines also being sent from London.

“We have also requested additional national support, including wildfire specialist appliances, officers, and tactical advisers,” it said.

“Around 50 people have received support through the rest centre, which remains open.

“We expect the response to continue for at least the next 48 hours.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to give the fire service “all the support it needs” to tackle the “very serious” heathland blaze.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner praised firefighters for their “skill and dedication and bravery”.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for Burnham to host an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the outbreak of wildfires in Britain, including in Suffolk.

Sizewell B power station said the fire was “not affecting operations”.

Fields separate the plant and the blaze, which is affecting the heathland further north along the coast.

Meanwhile Sizewell C, which is under construction, has offered rooms at its Pakefield accommodation block should residents need them.

UK Power Networks said it had turned off power to 116 homes in the Darsham area at the request of the fire service due to the proximity of the fire to overhead lines.

Dunwich Heath, which is owned by the National Trust, and nearby RSPB Minsmere are home to a variety of rare birds and wildlife.

Dartford warblers, nightjars and stonechats, along with reptiles such as adders, common lizards and slow worms, are among the species found there.

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While no human injuries have been reported, retired ecologist Chris Keeling said the impact the fire would have on wildlife and habitats was “so terribly sad” and “horrendous”.

“I find it utterly sickening and it just makes me feel so desperately sad to see that destruction,” said Keeling, vice-chairman of Suffolk Bird Group.

Properties including Coastguard Cottages, Mount Pleasant Farm and Cliff House Holiday Park, were evacuated overnight.

Barry Banks, who lives in the nearby village of Westleton, said he took in “three couples and three dogs” at his home last night.

He said it was “a bit chaotic” and that some of the evacuees were “stressed”, but that he other villagers had wanted to help.

About 60 people, including families with babies and dogs, have attended a relief centre at Westleton Village Hall.

Jude Bayly, who owns caravans in the evacuated area, said she felt “incredibly emotional” about the wildfire.

“I feel every time I speak to a son or my husband I feel very weepy and that’s just shock, I would imagine,” she said.

“The devastation of this area, which is a natural beauty, and the wildlife is just awful.

“You see it on the television with France and Spain and you’re quite removed from it and then it’s here and I feel quite as if it’s actually… I’m not really taking it in.”

Claire, from Essex, was camping nearby with her husband and four children when they were told they had to evacuate the area immediately.

“Within minutes, what had been a busy family campsite turned into families frantically throwing whatever essentials they could into their cars,” she says.

“We had no choice but to abandon our tent and almost all of our camping equipment and leave, not knowing whether the fire would reach the campsite or if we’d ever see our belongings again.”

She described how the hardest part was staying calm for her children, who were “exhausted and frightened”.

They are now staying with a local couple in Westleton.

“After such an uncertain 24 hours, that generosity has meant the world to us,” she said.

BBC Weather’s Chris Fawkes said some drops of rain and a north-westerly wind were expected on Thursday evening “so that will blow the smoke and wildfire fronts out to sea”.

There had been concern the fire would head inland towards homes.

Suffolk is also among the areas of England where drought has been declared by the Environment Agency.

Droughts bring with them a high risk of wildfires, the EA warned.

According to the Met Office, Suffolk has only received 2% of its average monthly rainfall for July so far.

The UK Health Security Agency had earlier issued an amber heat-health alert for the region.

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