Tractor catches fire carrying trailer full of silage

A tractor driver had a lucky escape after his vehicle burst into flames while carrying a trailer full of silage.

The incident took place on Monday afternoon (19 June) on the A30 in Henstridge, Somerset.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sent two crews to the scene after the fire was reported at 1.16pm.

© Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

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When firefighters arrived, they found the John Deere tractor well alight and crews used jets to stop the fire spreading to the silage in the trailer.

A fire service spokesman said: “Crews extinguished the blaze using two breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets and managed to stop any fire spread to the silage in the trailer.”

© Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

The tractor had leaked hydraulic fuel and diesel on to the road and police and Highways Agency officers were called to the scene to clear the spillage.

The tractor driver managed to escape unhurt from the vehicle, which was later removed from the scene on the back of a flatbed lorry.

Sherborne Fire Station has posted pictures of the aftermath of the fire on its Facebook page. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

More tractor fires 

Several other tractor fires have also been reported across the UK in recent days as the silage harvesting season continues and the country bakes in a June heatwave.

© Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

A JCB telehandler was badly damaged following an accidental fire in a field near Littlehempston, Devon, last Friday (16 June).

And fire crews on the Isle of Man were called to a field off Mount Rule Road in Crosby to tackle a baling machine fire.