Crews faced with further wildfires across Tyneside Fire chiefs urge public to think about actions
RISK OF SPARKING FIRES RISES IN HEATWAVE
TWO massive wildfires broke out on Tyneside with firefighters coming to the rescue after the blazes threatened to spread to nearby properties.
Crews from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance at two separate wildfires yesterday, firstly off Dyke Heads Lane in Greenside and secondly on a field to the rear of Percy Lane in Walbottle Village.
Both blazes took place perilously close to roads and residential properties, with some houses in Walbottle left with damage to fences and patios.
The dramatic scenes, captured on camera by members of the public, showed terrifying infernos with smoke billowing into the air which could be seen for miles.
The fires were eventually both surrounded by approximately 4.15pm with numerous appliances dispatched to the scene of each incident as crews looked to quell the spread of the flames.
Although both blazes were eventually extinguished, there was clear extensive damage left at both sites.
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We are continuing to battle a number of fires this afternoon across Tyne and Wear.
“The majority of the most challenging fires are grass fires in large stretches of field. These very dry conditions cause fire to spread rapidly.
“We have five appliances at such a fire in Walbottle and three appliances in attendance at a field fire in Greenside. Both of these fires are surrounded and we are working hard to extinguish them and prevent them spreading any further.”
A police presence was also dispatched to the scene in Walbottle where crews from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service still remained into the evening.
Northumbria Police did not want to comment on the situation other than to confirm their presence which they said was “to control any crowds and ensure the safety of the public following the wildfire”.
The terrifying scenes followed on from a number of blazes in the region already this week including in Ryton
CONCERN AS INFERNOS SPREAD NEAR TO HOUSES
Willows yesterday evening where fire crews tackled another massive grass fire.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to behave responsibly especially during this time of extreme weather.
A spokesperson added: “We would continue to ask the public to behave responsibly and follow our advice to help mitigate against an
FIREFIGHTERS have issued an urgent warning for people to be responsible during the hot weather after a huge blaze ripped through a Gateshead nature reserve.
Videos and photos captured by ChronicleLive show the devastating aftermath of the fire which broke out at Ryton Willows Nature Reserve at increase in incidents.
“Our Fire Control are doing an amazing job with another big spike in calls.
“Please be patient and only call us in an emergency.
“We will prioritise calls where there is an immediate risk to person or property but will always send an appliance when it is needed.” around 3pm on Wednesday. Scorched land and blackened trees are all that remain at the site after firefighters spent more than 20 hours tackling the massive grass fire, before managing to bring it under control by around 6.20am.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed they will never know what caused the fire as a result of its large scale, with the blaze spreading over 3.5km and putting nearby properties at risk. However, as temperatures continue to soar across the North East, fire bosses have called on the public to behave responsibly to reduce the risk of further fires starting.
It comes as the service said that Wednesday evening was busier than
Bonfire Night as they received a day’s worth of calls in just three hours and three times the amount of calls compared to the previous week. A total of 60 fires, including 16 grass fires, were attended by crews on Wednesday, including an allotment fire in Easington Lane, a wildfire in Witherwack, and a house fire in Sunderland.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath is urging people not to use barbecues in the countryside, avoid setting bonfires and be careful of disposing cigarettes and glass bottles because of the dry conditions.
He said: “Although temperatures are not expected to reach the levels that we saw last month, the hot weather comes at a time where things are already tinder dry. This presents a serious increase in the chances of fire and rapid fire spread.
“Last night we saw a huge surge in calls and attended incidents where relatively small fires had been exacerbated by the heat and led to a much more challenging response. We want to ask the public to work with us and behave responsibly during the hot weather.
“It is important to take your rubbish away with you, particularly glass bottles or objects. These can concentrate sunlight and spark fires that put people’s lives at risk.
“Ultimately, the increased risk as a result of the tinder-dry conditions, coupled with deliberate fires in bins and public areas, adds a level of risk that is avoidable.
“We also want to issue a timely reminder to behave responsibly around the water and make sure you are aware of some of the dangers that may be hidden beneath the surface.”