‘Weather-related’ blaze brought under control before it reached homes

FIRE crews tackled a blaze on a field in Sunderland which was stopped from spreading to nearby properties including a care home.

Personnel from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene on a field on Woolwich Road in Sunderland after approximately 11.40am this morning.

Five appliances were dispatched to the scene in an attempt to put the blaze out and it took six minutes to bring it under control.

The field is located nearby residential properties including a care home, with the spread of the blaze thankfully curtailed before it was able to spread.

The brigade did not explicitly state the cause of the fire but they did refer to the blaze as ‘weatherrelated’.

A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At about 11.41am today our fire control received a call about a fire on a field on Woolwich Road in Sunderland.

“Five appliances from across Tyne and Wear were on the scene in just six minutes to bring the blaze under control.

“Thankfully due to the quick intervention of our crews, the fire did not spread beyond the field to nearby residential properties, including a nearby care home.

“Our crews left the scene at 12.43pm and this is likely to be one of many weather-related calls they attend throughout the course of the day.”

They also praised the work crews had undertaken during the extreme temperatures and urged members of the public to follow their guidance with regards to responsible behaviour.

The spokesperson added: “We are very proud of them continuing to work hard in extreme heat and we would ask the public to help ease the pressure on the Service by behaving responsibly.

“It may be tempting to have a barbecue in this hot weather but please avoid this as conditions are too dry and this can quickly lead to a significant blaze.

“Please also dispose of cigarettes safely, avoid controlled bonfires and be careful disposing of glass as this can start fires in extremely dry conditions.”