Field Fire threatens houses near Chinnor Heritage Railway

JUST two days after a warning was issued about the dangers of grass fires in the current weather conditions, a grass fire, that threatened near-by houses yesterday, is thought to have been started by embers from a passing steam train.

At 5.30pm yesterday, August 7, fire crews from both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Services were called to a substantial field fire near Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway line in Chinnor, just off the Lower Icknield Way.

Watch Manager, Andy Ford, from Thame fire station, said: “The area affected by fire was approximately 200m x 200m and there were houses and horses nearby. Six fire engines and 35 fire crews brought the fire under control and made sure it was out. They managed to stop the fire spreading to nearby houses and made sure horses in the area were led away to safety.

Andy continued: “The crews worked so hard in hot weather to make sure that this fire didn’t spread; I’m really proud of them. This is a reminder that during hot dry weather we need to be very careful in the country side with any kind of potential ignition source!”

NOTE: Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question you can call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk