Tractor heroes help keep flames at bay
ALEX SCAPENS
ATEAM of tractor drivers have been hailed as heroes after helping to stop a moorland wildfire forcing people out of their homes.
Around 40 firefighters were called to a huge blaze on land off the A56 bypass at Rising Bridge on Thursday, July 5 at around 3.15pm.
The remote location meant crews were struggling to get sufficient water to tackle the flames, and residents at two nearby homes were advised they may have to evacuate.
But quick-thinking Rachel Wood saw the danger and rang partner Simon Staines, with whom she has agricultural business SR Contractors.
They arranged for Simon, 33, and fellow workers to use their tractors and trailers to transport an estimated 138,750 gallons of water from nearby Blackmoss Quarry. Working into the early hours of Friday, they then sprayed it on the fire to keep the flames at bay.
Rachel, of Oak Avenue, said: “You could see it was getting out of hand and I thought we need to do something. I rang Simon and he and the lads stopped working and drove the tractors round in a loop to get water. We just kept going, from about 6pm to 2am. I just rang them up, they saved the day.
“It was a serious situation, it potentially could have turned into another Winter Hill-type fire. The firefighters were great and they said thanks.”
Rachel, 34, had originally gone up to the fire to retrieve her son Jack, nine, as he had wandered up to have a look. She helped organise the convoy while the others drove and Simon’s mum, Angela Gallagher, handed out refreshments. Other drivers that tool part were Jack Craig, Darrel Craig and George Newhouse.
The fire, between the Rising Bridge roundabout and Huncoat, was out by Friday morning, leaving behind a huge patched of scorched earth. One of the properties under threat belonged to Paula and Mike Moore, who slept outside overnight in case a quick escape was needed.
Daughter Victoria Moore, 37, said: “Rachel and the lads are heroes, they deserve a lot of recognition for what they did. They were brilliant.
“To see your parents collecting their possessions because they might be evacuated is not nice. The fire was close to their house and moved very quickly, I’m relieved.” Simon and his team helped again on Saturday evening providing water when hotspots at the site reignited at around 5.30pm.
Three fire engines were also called and one lane of the A56 was closed but the incident was over by 10pm. A fire service spokesman said: “We are grateful to the assistance of the local farmers. The assistance of their agricultural machinery and water supply meant that we were able to work quickly to extinguish the fire.”