Fearless firefighters have been praised for intervening and preventing fire at a farm from spreading and destroying more land. Shortly after 10.30 pm on Tuesday emergency services were called to a fire at a famer’s field in Burradon, North Tyneside.
Fire Control staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) immediately deployed crews to the scene. They arrived on the scene and quickly began to battle the flames that were engulfing the farmer’s livelihood.
Fire under control
In total five appliances and more than 20 firefighters were on the scene to eventually bring the fire under control. The fire is extremely deep-seated and firefighters worked through the night to ensure it did not reignite.
Working with the farmer, firefighters broke up the hay bales to help extinguish the fire as fast as they could. Group Manager, Steve Burdis, who oversaw the response to the fire for TWFRS, has praised the firefighters for their dedicated response.
Immediate fire response
At the height of the incident, a total of five appliances were in attendance and we still have crews on the scene"
Steve Burdis said, “At the height of the incident, a total of five appliances were in attendance and we still have crews on the scene due to the deep-seated nature of the fire. Thankfully nobody was reported to have been injured however there has been a significant amount of damage to the baled hay which will impact the farmer and his stock."
He adds, “I want to say a huge well done to our Fire Control staff for their initial response, and to the crews from Gosforth, Newcastle Central, and Byker who attended the blaze. Fires of this nature can be challenging. They can spread quickly, cover vast areas, and can be unpredictable."
Support the crews
Steve Burdis continues, “But thanks to the hard work and expertise of our crews, the fire was significantly contained. One crew from South Shields is still in attendance as around 20 tonnes of hay is still smoldering.”
Northumbria Police did attend the fire to support TWFRS crews but they are not treating the fire as malicious at this time.