Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

An eyewitness has described scenes of a Blidworth fire declared a 'major incident' to which 15 Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews attended




An eyewitness tell his account after fifteen fire crews were at a large woodland fire in Nottinghamshire yesterday afternoon as record breaking temperatures across the county hit 39C.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the “significant” fire at Blidworth Lane, close to Blidworth after the service commented that fire crews were dealing with “an exceptional amount of incidents around the county”.

Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099515)
Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099515)

The Blidworth blaze was witnessed by Councillor Mike Adams (Con), Environment Ambassador at Nottinghamshire County Council, who said: “We watched from the other side of the valley, a small smoke plume of a couple of metres turned into a wave of smoke and fire jumped across the tree tops.

“Multiple appliances began turning up and I am sure they have a difficult battle on their hands.

Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099509)
Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099509)

“It’s really sad to be seeing this pine forest on fire and I feel for the residents and wildlife that live in and around it."

As environment ambassador Mike was concerned about the impact the fire could have on the landscape: “It’s so hot, so dry, a heat I’ve not felt in my lifetime. As the climate continues to warm, events like this are to become more regular.

“I hope the 250 hectares of trees we are planting over the next five years will go some way to replacing those, but that forest is mature and these have a long way to get there."

“Thanks to the emergency services for their work and if this wasn’t a natural cause, please remember to extinguish cigarettes properly and avoid locations like this for BBQ while things are so dry.”

Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099518)
Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099518)

Crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident yesterday after they received a call at 13:35 to reports of a fire in the open. A total 15 crews and 75 fire fighters were in attendance at the incident from across the county including support from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The public were advised to avoid the area and if affected by the smoke to close their doors and windows.

Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099512)
Blidworth wild fire, photo: Shirebrook Fire Station (58099512)

The UK was hit with its first ever red weather warning for heat as the country's highest ever temperature of 40.2C was recorded at Heathrow.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More