On Friday evening, a massive grass fire tore through more than 400 meters of woodland at Stock Hill Woods in the Somerset village of Priddy. The blaze was reported to Devon and Somerset Police at 5:30 pm, prompting an immediate response.
Fire crews from Castle Cary Fire Station arrived swiftly and deployed beaters and water jets, sourcing water locally to combat the intense flames. The firefighters worked under challenging conditions as the fire spread across the grassland, with one front stretching approximately 300 to 400 meters.
To ensure no lingering hotspots remained, teams utilized drone technology, monitoring the affected area from above. A natural pathway acted as a fire break, aiding in containment efforts. After several hours of persistence, the fire was fully extinguished by 10:30 pm.
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Onlookers gathered nearby, stepping out of their vehicles to witness the extensive damage caused by the fire. Authorities have classified the incident as accidental, with no evidence of deliberate ignition.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service stated: “We responded to a large grass fire at Stockhill Woods with ten appliances. Despite difficult working conditions, firefighters used beaters, water jets, and a natural fire break to control the blaze. Drone surveillance was vital to confirm all hotspots were extinguished.”