Huge impact of Peaks blaze on fire service

A HUGE blaze that spread through the Peak District led to Derbyshire nearly running out of fire engines, the service chief has revealed.

It is thought to have been started by two disposable barbecues, prompting the fire chief to call for MP support in condemning them.

The number of 999 calls to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service increased tenfold as the country suffered in the searing heat of the hottest recorded UK day on July 19. By 5.30pm, 33 of the service’s 40 available fire engines were attending incidents throughout the county.

This was in addition to providing support to the Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire fire services, both of which declared major incidents. The fire at Win Hill, Bamford, started on the same day, taking a total of 34 engines five days to tackle and decimating a hectare of moorland and forest.

In the midst of the destruction, firefighters were horrified to find two disposable barbecues and the remains of a camp fire.

Addressing the Fire and Rescue Authority, chief fire officer Gavin Tomlinson said: “Spending an average of £3 to experience a burger in the great outdoors may seem attractive, but that £3 pales into insignificance when compared to the cost of such fires and their impact on the environment and natural habitats.

“It is estimated the fire at Win Hill may have cost our service in the region of £250,000.

“While the use of portable barbecues is a nationwide issue, I am calling for action in Derbyshire and will be writing to all our local MPs asking for their support as we cannot continue to witness the impact of such reckless use of portable barbecues when they pose such a significant fire risk.”

CFO Tomlinson praised staff members who went above and beyond during the heatwave. He also appealed to anyone planning a day out in the countryside to consider packing a picnic rather than taking a disposable barbecue, or alternatively support local cafes by using them instead.