NewsUK NewsFireLIVEUpdated 2 mins agoFirefighters are tackling the blaze after 160 calls were made following a vehicle fire that spread to dry heathlandThe A31 remains closed following the vehicle fire (Image: Liam Henderson/X)A huge fire has broken out after a vehicle fire spread to dry heathland on the A31 in the New Forest, Hampshire.More than 20 fire engines are trying to extinguish the blaze after a vehicle fire spread.Members of the public made 160 calls reporting the vehicle on fire on the eastbound A31 just after 5.24pm.The road is closed in both directions. The westbound carriageway is closed between the M27 J2 (Ower) and the A338 (Ringwood).The eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 J1 (Cadnam).This is a live news story, follow below for updates.Today23:52 BSTWestbound diversion routeTraffic travelling westbound is advised to follow the below diversion route - not symbol led.Exit the M27 at J2 (Ower Interchange) onto the A327 towards Ashurst Bridge.Join the A35 and head southbound on the A35 through Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Allum Green, Hinton Admiral and Christchurch.At the Iford roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A3060 towards the Cooper Dean roundabout.At the Cooper Dean roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A338.Continue northbound on the A338 to the Ashley Heath roundabout to re-join the A31.Today23:42 BST30 appliances tackling blazeThe New Forest National Park have posted an update on the blaze.The statement said: "Emergency services are dealing with a large heathland fire near Picket Post after a vehicle caught fire on the A31 earlier this evening and the blaze spread to the countryside."Nearly 30 appliances are in attendance. Please avoid the area."Today23:40 BSTPeople told to 'flee cars if you want to stay alive' Drivers on the dual carriageway were told to flee their vehicles 'if you want to stay alive'. Traffic came to a halt juts before 5.30pm when the van went up in flames, with drivers ordered to get out of their cars by police.A policewoman told drivers to get out of their cars and move to the central reservation 'if you want to stay alive'. People have left their vehicles on the road with no time frame of when they can be collected.‌Today23:34 BSTWelcome to our live coverage Welcome to our live coverage of this incident. Here's everything we know so far:The A31 in Hampshire is closed in both directions due to a HGV fire which has spread to the adjacent verges and trees.Drivers were urged to 'flee their vehicles' as the fire broke out just before 5.30pmThe M27 is also closed from Junction 2‌