Totnes fire crew attend wildfire on railway embankment

Totnes fire crew were called to a railway embankment fire where they found steep railway woodland and shrub “well alight”.

The fire was reported just before 4pm on Sunday, 17 April, and Paignton Fire Station were sent to attend to the location in Staverton. They then requested a “second light portable pump” from Totnes to attend.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews worked with South Devon Railway staff using a steam engine with a water supply to assist firefighters to fight the fire, whilst the second fire engine was en-route with the light portable pump, which was then set up utilising water from the River Dart.”

The fire was extinguished by 9pm.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have put together advice for preventing wildfires and what to do if you come across one on their website: www.dsfire.gov.uk/safety/outdoors/wildfires