Two young farm workers have been hailed as heroes after they put their lives and machinery at risk to stop a wildfire spreading to a housing estate.
Jay Loft, 22, and Cameron Bartram, 19, reacted quickly when a blaze spread over 750 yards across wheat fields in the Woodthorpe area of York on Sunday afternoon.
The duo had been working at a nearby site when they were called about the fire – and with landowner Russell Wagstaff 45 minutes away, they sprang into action.
As the blaze headed towards homes, Mr Loft and Mr Bartram jumped into tractors and disced the fields to create a firebreak until the emergency services arrived.
Dramatic video recorded from the tractors showed the fire just yards away from the machinery as huge plumes of smoke resulted in near-zero visibility on local roads.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service eventually brought the flames under control, but the suspected arson attack caused an estimated £30,000 of damage to crops.
Two girls aged 15 and 17, both from the local area, were arrested on suspicion of arson by North Yorkshire Police soon afterwards and an investigation continues.
Detectives said a further eight fires were reported across the area last weekend, with six of these being treated as deliberate.
The fire spread over 750 yards across wheat fields in the Woodthorpe area of York on Sunday
Cameron Bartram (left) and Jay Loft (right) helped to stop the potentially devastating fire
The farm workers disced the fields to create a firebreak until the emergency services arrived
As the blaze headed towards homes, the workers jumped into tractors and disced the fields
Mr Bartram said the fire was ‘spreading really quick’ when he arrived, telling the BBC: ‘I was just glad I was nearby and could get there to help a neighbouring farmer.’
‘If it happened to us I’d like to think that a neighbouring farmer would be here to help us. It was horrible really. And for the farmer as well, just a massive loss. It’s just that dry at the minute, everything can catch alight like no problem at all.’
Mr Wagstaff, of Wagstaff Farm in Sutton-on-the-Forest, has since been clearing up the remains of the fire with his combine harvester.
He told the York Press: ‘Jay contacted us as we saw the smoke from home and we’re so grateful for his quick thinking. We contacted John Sykes and Steven Beckett – both local farmers – who helped and also sent a water bowser to the fields.
‘It was a great effort from the farming community, bringing everybody together, especially as times are tough at the moment and prices are not good.
‘As I was making my way there on Sunday the hope was that everyone was safe and that the fire was not spreading to homes. It would be nice to have an apology from whoever did this.’
Meanwhile Luke Charters, MP for York Outer, has praised Mr Loft and Mr Bartram for their quick thinking and invited them to Parliament.
He said: ‘People are often far too quick to write off the younger generation, but Cameron and Jay have shown the exact opposite.
‘They’re two Yorkshire lads who didn’t stand around waiting for someone else to sort it. They rolled up their sleeves and stepped up when their community needed them the most.
The tractor can be seen attempted to make a firebreak to stop the blaze speading to homes
The fire was just yards away from the machinery as huge plumes of smoke billowed into the air
The farm workers had been at a nearby site when they were called about the fire on Sunday
Huge plumes of smoke resulted in near-zero visibility on local roads during Sunday’s blaze
‘Their quick thinking helped stop the fire spreading towards people’s homes, and our city owes them a huge thank you.’
Mr Charters posted a letter of thanks to the duo, along with ‘a couple of beers’ to say thanks.
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Ben Ambler, of North Yorkshire Police, said: ‘Arson is a serious offence that puts lives at risk and, in this case, has caused significant damage to a local farmer’s crops.
‘Two local teenagers were swiftly arrested in connection with the suspected arson in Acomb yesterday, and our investigation is progressing at pace.
‘We have a problem-solving plan in place to address this issue and will continue our joint work with partners to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of fires as we head into the summer school holidays.’
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Nick Allenby said: ‘Fire spreads quickly and can be unpredictable. A fire can endanger lives no matter what size it is.
‘Even a small fire can spread quickly and divert crews away from life‑threatening emergencies.
‘By working with partners, including North Yorkshire Police, we aim to educate children and young adults about the dangers of fire and help them understand the wider consequences of their actions before someone is seriously harmed.
‘We are appealing to anyone with parental responsibilities to explain the hazards, risks and potentially devastating consequences of setting fires especially ahead of the summer holidays.’
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