On Friday evening, a significant grass fire tore through over 400 meters of woodland in the village of Priddy, Somerset. The urgent call came to Devon and Somerset Police at 5:30 pm regarding the extensive flames spreading across Stock Hill Woods.
Fire crews from Castle Cary Fire Station responded swiftly, employing beaters and water jets sourced locally to combat the blaze. The firefighters faced challenging working conditions amid the dense smoke and uneven terrain, but their efforts were relentless.
To ensure the fire was completely extinguished, a drone was deployed to identify any remaining hotspots. After hours of intense work, the fire was fully under control by 10:30 pm.
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Locals gathered along the roadside, stepping out of their vehicles to witness the destruction caused by the fire. Although the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have classified the incident as accidental.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service stated, “We received the call at 5:30 pm on Friday regarding a large grass fire in Stockhill Woods. Firefighters worked tirelessly, using natural paths as fire breaks and utilizing both water and beaters to contain the blaze. The use of a drone was crucial in confirming all hotspots were extinguished. We believe the fire was accidental in origin.”