Residents were urged to keep their doors and windows shut.
Locals were advised to remain indoors (file picture) (Image: Getty)
Residents in Brigstock, Northamptonshire, have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed as emergency services were trying to tackle a massive blaze involving 250 tonnes of manure. The huge fire broken out at a farm, firefighters warned, may take several days to be fully extinguished. Residents have been urged to stay away from the incident, and to keep their windows and doors shut.
“We are currently at the scene of a large fire in Brigstock, involving 250 tonnes of farm manure,” A spokesman for Northants Fire and Rescue said at 8.42pm last night. “People living in the village and surrounding areas are advised to keep their windows and doors closed. This fire is expected to continue burn through the night, and, over the coming days.” Nine hours ago, a local wrote on Facebook: “In Stanion and haven’t smelt anything so far.” Another added: “Bet that smells nice.”
A different person said: “Oh s***.”
It comes after the fire service introduced two new Seasonal Support Vehicles as a trial to enhance its “ability to respond to wildfires and better protect people and land” in the region.
Based at Woodford Halse and Raunds Fire Stations, the vehicles have been “strategically placed” on different sides of the county to cover the whole of Northamptonshire.
They are not equipped with fire hoses, and instead have inside them specialised tools to fight wildfires, such as beaters.
These are used to create breaks in the ground, helping to prevent fires spreading.
Wildfire backpacks in the cars can carry up to 20 litres of water each.
Area Manager for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Neil Sadler said: “We have introduced the vehicles into our fleet on a trial basis following learning from the summer of 2022, where Northamptonshire had a large number of wildfires, and the experiences of other fire services this summer like Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, who have been heavily hit by wildfires in the past month.
“Wildfires are a risk for our largely rural county and we are constantly reviewing our capability to respond to them effectively and safely.
“The Seasonal Support Vehicles and our new equipment will help to ensure that we are prepared to protect the people, homes, and land in Northamptonshire.”
