Huge fire leads to evacuations in Warminster

Firefighters from across Wiltshire and Somerset spent one of the hottest days of the year battling a major fire in a field in the town.

The alarm was raised at 1.28pm on Sunday 13th July after reports of a fire in a field near Deverill Road, with thick smoke billowing across the town. Residents living nearby evacuated as a precaution.

A spokesperson from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said, “Crews from Warminster, Wilton, Westbury, Trowbridge and Somerton were mobilised and found a large area of standing crop alight.   

“A further 11 appliances were mobilised, from Gillingham, Amesbury, Corsham, Salisbury, Hamworthy, Devizes, Cranborne, Blandford, Chippenham, Ludgershall and Wincanton due to the fire spreading to nearby properties.   

“Firefighters used the pumping appliances to extinguish the fire measuring approximately 200m x 250 along with some neighbouring garden fences, sheds and a conservatory.  Approximately 50 to 80 residents had self-evacuated and one person was treated for light smoke inhalation.”

The stop-call came in at 5.17pm.

Barry Pirie, Wiltshire Councillor for Warminster Broadway, said “Many thanks to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service  for a quick response and containing the fire in the open field adjacent to the residents of Ashley Coombe.”

Nearby residents also took to social media to thank the emergency services and members of the community for their quick response.

One person said, “Thank you to everybody who came out to help. Within moments there were people everywhere, like ants, in our gardens with hoses, buckets, bins, anything!”

Another added, “Thank you to everyone (fire crew and residents) who worked so hard to contain the fire and save the properties that bordered the fields. So grateful to live in an area where our neighbours pulled together as a team to keep everyone safe.”

Pictures: Thomas McEntee