Crews tackle fire affecting 200-tonne woodpile
Crews are tackling a fire affecting 200 tonnes of wood in Stebbing.
We were called to a vehicle and woodpile fire off Lubberhedges Lane today at 10.07am.
Crews from South Woodham Ferrers, Billericay, Wethersfield, Stansted, Newport and Dunmow attended, along with a water bowser, which is used to bring a large volume of water to an incident, from Corringham.
Firefighters found a tractor, agricultural chipping machine and 200-tonne woodpile alight.
Station Manager Scott Fretton said: "Crews have worked incredibly hard to stop the fire from spreading to nearby woodland.
"They have now surrounded the fire and will be at the scene for the rest of the afternoon to make sure it is fully extinguished.
"Thanks to the crews' hard work about half of the wood has been saved, although unfortunately the two vehicles have been destroyed.
"I'd also like to thank the farmer who has provided an agricultural bowser to supplement our water supply."
The fire was fully extinguished by 9am. Crews returned to the scene late on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday morning to carry out further checks.
The cause has been recorded as accidental.
Do you own or work on a farm?
Be prepared and make sure everyone on your farm knows what to do if you have a fire.
Get to a safe place away from the fire and call 999 with the following details:
- Full location – ordnance survey grid reference or What3words location if possible
- What is involved or likely to become involved in the fire i.e. chemicals, hay etc.
- Information about access to the fire for fire engines
- If there will be problems accessing water supplies
Stay away from the fire and make yourself known to the fire crew when they arrive.
Then, when everyone is safe:
- prepare to evacuate livestock should the fire spread
- prepare to use farm machinery to assist the fire and rescue service to move straw/hay etc.
Could you be an on-call firefighter?
All of the crews who attended this incident are on-call firefighters; people who live or work within 5 minutes of their station and are paid to protect their community.
If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too.
Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call.
