July 5, 2018 9.58 am This story is over 75 months old

Firefighters battle grassland blazes sparked by cigarettes

A warning to all

Crews tackled fires across dry Lincolnshire grasslands overnight, many of which were started by carelessly discarded cigarettes.

Fires at Barrier Bank in Cowbit, Mill Drove South in Cowbit and Tillbridge Lane in Scampton late on Wednesday, July 4 were all caused by cigarettes.

Firefighters also put out a number of other grassland blazes amid the ongoing heatwave, which has scorched and dried natural spaces.

In Foxby Hill in Gainsborough self combusting horse manure sparked a grass fire.

In Bourne woods a scrubland fire was caused by an unattended campfire.

Grass and a fuel can also caught fire on Newark Road in North Hyekham.

Lending a hand in Manchester

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews from Spalding and Skegness recently joined colleagues to tackle blazes at Saddleworth Moor near Manchester and Winter Hill near Bolton, along with hundreds of firefighters from across the country.

Lincoln and Kirton then replaces them in Lancashire.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue warned of the danger of fires during the hot and dry conditions.

Dan Moss, Group Manager Prevention and Protection, said: “It is very important that members of the public are aware just how easily something like Saddleworth Moor can start- it’s a real threat.

“We are very proud of all of the firefighters from Lincolnshire, who are working hard in very hot conditions and in full fire kit, to assist their colleagues in Lancashire.

“We have huge areas of grassland and woodland in Lincolnshire and it would be disastrous to see any of it destroyed due to an act of carelessness.

“We are urging people to be careful when they are enjoying outdoor spaces. By following just a few guidelines they can cut down the risks of causing this kind of fire. Lit cigarettes, barbeques, campfires and even glass can all be incredibly dangerous when the conditions are as hot and dry as this.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have already seen an increase in call-outs involving out-door fires. Last year, in the week from June 25 until July 2 there were 34 call-outs to this type of fire, however that figure has jumped in 2018 to 58 call-outs.

“Our figures show just how dangerous the conditions are at present and how careful we all need to be,” added Dan Moss, “Carelessness during these conditions could have terrible consequences in terms woodland, trees, animal or even human life.”