Queen guitarist Brian May has thanked firefighters for saving his “entire life” as fires licked around his home.
May’s house and studios were in the path of a grass fire roaring across Chobham Common nature reserve.
May, 73, posted his gratitude on Instagram.
He wrote: “I never imagined it could happen here in leafy, and normally damp, Surrey, England.
“We supported the fight against the immense fires in Australia, and watched sadly as fires ravaged California, but to see this happen in my own home county has been shocking and traumatic.
“Today we were able to begin to thank the amazing firefighters who risked their lives to contain this huge and treacherous wild furnace on the heath land of Sunningdale Golf Course – which actually adjoins my property.
“Yesterday, I was rescuing as many precious things from my house as was practicable, under threat of the whole thing going up in flames but praying that the horror would not happen.
“Today my prayers were answered.”
Surrey Wildlife Trust said the wildfire, which began on a golf course on Friday, had destroyed 74 acres of “rare and precious” wildlife habitat.
Surrey County Council has urged people not to light disposable barbeques on the tinder dry land.
The council said that while the incident remained “significant” on Monday evening, the situation had now been stabilised.
The fire service will remain at the scene for the rest of the week in case the fire breaks out again.
