Farmer urges people to ‘stay vigilant’ as fire rips through field

Firefighters arrived to a field ‘well alight’ on the weekend

Firefighters arrived at a Cambridgeshire field “well alight” on the weekend. Multiple fire crews were called to a large field fire on Rectory Lane, Peakirk, just after 3.30pm on Saturday (July 25).

The field was “well alight” when firefighters arrived. Photos captured by Richard Jacobs, who works at neighbouring Moor Farm, captured photos from the aftermath of the fire, which shows it burnt out.

People from Moor Farm, including owner Judith Jacobs and her son-in-law Jack Bedlow, helped out during the fire. A Moor Farm spokesperson said: “Thank you to everyone who helped with the fire at Peakirk, especially the firefighters and local farmers who jumped on their own machines immediately to cut fire breaks in the land and spread water.

“The exact cause is unknown, but this demonstrates what devastating effects even the smallest spark can have. It may have been started accidentally, but please take extra care in these conditions and encourage others to do so. Please stay vigilant.”

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue crews arrived to the field at around 3.34pm on Saturday. A fire spokesperson added: “Crews from Dogsthorpe, Stanground, Whittlesey, Littleport, the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, alongside a crew from Stamford in Lincolnshire and a specialist 4×4 vehicle from Thorney were called to a field fire on Rectory Lane in Peakirk.

“Firefighters arrived to find a field well alight. They worked hard using hose reels and beaters to get the fire under control and then worked to further extinguish hot spots before dampening down the area.

“The incident was later scaled down. Crews will be reinspecting the area overnight to continue checking for hotspots and to make the area safe.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.