Tractors burnt out in dramatic farm fires
© Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Dramatic images show the moment firefighters battled to extinguish a tractor fire in a field and the aftermath of a fire that torched a tractor and trailer out spraying crops.
The separate, unrelated incidents were part of a busy weekend for crews tackling farm fires.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to a tractor fire in Neston on the afternoon of Saturday 17 April.
See also: How to protect your farm from fire risk and stay legal
A hydraulic hose burst on the tractor, which sprayed oil on to the engine, which then ignited.
Crews from Powey Lane and Ellesmere Port extinguished the fire in the field on Puddington Lane.
In Lancashire, three fire engines from Nelson and Colne extinguished a fire that torched 20 hay bales at a farm on Delves Lane, Burnley.
Firefighters arrived late afternoon on Saturday 17 April and were at the scene for nearly two hours.
Chemical spill
In the afternoon on Friday 16 April, firefighters were called to a tractor fire on Colchester Road, West Mersea.
© Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said about 2,000 litres of mixed solution containing chemicals to spray crops was spilled on the floor.
Firefighters worked with fire service scientific advisers and the Environment Agency for advice on cleaning the solution and the scene was left in the care of the farmer, who will excavate the land.
Station manager Danny Partridge from Colchester Fire Station said: “Crews worked really well to extinguish this fire and establish a water source in a difficult area.”
No one was hurt in either incident.
What to do if a fire starts
Call the fire and rescue service immediately and tell the operator:
- Where the fire is – give the full address, including the postcode
- Exactly what is involved – especially any chemicals that are at risk or likely to combust in the fire
- If access to the fire site will be difficult for the fire engines
- If there will be problems accessing water supplies on the fire site
- Never attempt to fight the fire unless it is safe to do so
- If possible, send someone to the farm entrance to direct the fire and rescue service to the fire. At night-time, they should have a torch and be wearing high-visibility clothing so they are easy to see
- Clear access routes to the fire site for the fire engines
- Move livestock if necessary, or be prepared to move them in case the fire spreads
- Make yourself known to the fire crew on arrival and answer any questions they may have