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Aerial footage shows shocking extent of straw bale blaze

Philip Case 01 February 2022
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© Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service© Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service

Aerial footage has revealed the devastation caused by a huge fire that destroyed more than 30,000 straw bales.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were still at the scene of the blaze in Hemswell village on Tuesday (1 February) and would stay there for as long as necessary.

The video, which was recorded from an aeroplane and published on North Hykeham Fire Station’s Twitter account, shows thick plumes of grey smoke billowing into the sky.

See also: How to protect your farm from fire risk and stay legal

Local farmers told Farmers Weekly that the whole area was “aglow” over the weekend, but Tuesday was the first time that the flames appeared to have been extinguished.

Farmer and agricultural contractor Malcolm Parr, who farms five miles away in Gainsborough, said on Tuesday: “It has been shocking. Every night, I have looked across the way since the fire started and it has been aglow.

“Monday night was the first time it wasn’t [aglow]. The fire may have blown itself out. There was no smoke this morning.”

30,000 bales lost

The fire service said about 30,000 straw bales went up in smoke. It is understood the bales were destined for a straw-fired power station in Brigg, north Lincolnshire.

Mr Parr said desperate efforts were made to remove some of the bales after the fire broke out at the former RAF station shortly before 1pm on Thursday (27 January), off Learoyd Road, Hemswell Cliff.

“They did manage to get a few bales out of the way, but then the wind got up and all the stacks caught fire,” added Mr Parr, whose own straw bales go to the site via a contractor.

Bales on fire

© Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service

“After the flames spread, they had to abandon the job. They couldn’t do anything about it.

“It is a shocking loss. There is going to be hundreds and hundreds of tonnes of black ash burning out. The power station will have suffered a massive loss.”

Charles Anyan, who farms near Market Rasen, described the fire as “apocalyptic”, but “avoidable”.

“Thankfully. it’s one of those events you don’t see very often,” he said.

“The fire brigade has worked so hard to prevent the flames spreading further. But what can you do with a combustible material and strong winds caused by Storm Malik other than let it burn out?”

Crews still on site

Tom Patrick, station manager from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The high winds in recent days have helped accelerate the burning process and have reduced the stacks somewhat.

“We have crews on site and are monitoring the weather conditions, but are happy that we have the contingencies in place to manage any risks of fire spreading further.

“We anticipate our crews will be on site for as long as needed and we’re grateful to Anglian Water for their support in ensuring water supplies have been maintained both for firefighting and local people.”

The fire started in a large pile of woodchip, which self-combusted and spread to nearby bales.

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