Latest news with #NorfolkFireAndRescue
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Fire significantly damaged wildlife, says Norfolk fire service
A large wildfire has caused "significant damage" to wildlife and breeding areas, a fire service station manager said. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to a fire in the open on Norwich Road near Holt Country Park on Sunday at about 21:25 BST. Crews from 13 stations attended the site throughout Sunday night and on Hooker, the station manager at the fire service in Holt, Sheringham and Cromer, said as the wildfire was uncontrolled " habitats are affected and places where wildlife breed are also destroyed". The fire service has issued a warning to the public to not be complacent during dry weather periods, as the majority of wildfires were caused by "human actions". Mr Hooker said: "It could be a number of things, unfortunately wildfires are uncontrolled fires, so they don't leave much evidence behind." The service encouraged people on a day out to take a picnic rather than a barbecue, to take litter home or put it in a bin and to make sure smoking materials were extinguished. Mr Hooker added: "In Norfolk we have some beautiful areas where people like to visit but we do encourage them to make sure they are doing the right things. "That goes as far as taking litter home with them, especially glass bottles, barbecues... also education is key." In July 2022, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident when it was called to 100 wildfires during record breaking temperatures of 39C (102F).During the high temperatures Wild Ken Hill in Snettisham was subject to a wildfire which affected 33 hectares (82 acres) at the reserve. Dominic Buscall, the manager at Wild Ken Hill, said a "significant amount" of wildlife "perished" including reptiles, amphibians and birds. Despite the damage, months after the incident, he said the reserve was "recovering well" and the habitat was likely to regenerate in the long term. Following this incident, inspectors rated Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service as "inadequate" in terms of fire prevention, but "good" at dealing with them. Emyr Gough, from the service, said "without doubt" it would be able to cope with a similar crisis. Crews have since used new equipment, received more training, introduced different shift patterns and have been better at giving out messages to members of the public, she said. However, Mr Hooker said education and promoting good behaviour amongst the public is important. "We've had the driest spring on record. A little bit of rainfall is soon absorbed by the countryside so it's important not to get complacent when going out for picnics or barbecues. "Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service prides itself on being the last line of defence but really we need members of the public and landowners to be the first line of defence." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Holt Country Park fire tackled by crews from 13 stations
Crews from 13 stations worked throughout the night to tackle a fire in a woodland area near a country Fire and Rescue Service was called to Norwich Road near Holt Country Park at about 21:25 BST on Sunday.A spokesperson said crews remained on the scene through the following day to check for Norfolk District Council, which owns the park, said "fortunately" there was no fire on the park. Charlotte Brown was walking with her partner when she saw the fire: "As soon as we could see the flames and were sure it was out of control and not just a bonfire, I phoned it in." The service warned the risk of fires in the open was "currently high" due to dry weather and high temperatures. "They also take away resources which may be needed for other emergencies - many fires in the open are preventable by taking extra care," a spokesperson said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Smallburgh wedding venue extensively damaged by fire
A fire has caused extensive damage to a wedding and holiday venue. The fire at Holly House on the Worsted Estate, Smallburgh, Norfolk, broke out at about midnight, according to a post by the estate said "there was no one in the property, and no casualties" but the fire had "spread throughout the accommodation, sparing only the farm office at the rear of the property". Holly House director, Gavin Paterson, would not comment on how many forthcoming weddings or bookings might be impacted. However, the estate's statement added: "We will contact those with bookings as soon as we can."Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the blaze in Church Road at 02:35 BST. The cause of the fire is still being Patterson praised the "fantastic" fire service response and added that "no one was injured". The fire service said crews from nine stations attended the fire and staff remain at the scene damping down and checking for potential hot spots that might one point during the fire residents nearby were advised to keep doors and windows shut - due to smoke - which the fire service said had now and residents were advised to continue to avoid the area of Church taken by a BBC reporter showed the roof of the building to be completely gutted. Norfolk Police said: "Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service are leading. A cordon is in place around the property and our officers remain on scene while investigations are carried out to determine the cause of the fire."Wildcraft Brewery, which is based on the 300-acre private Worsted Estate, confirmed it had not been affected by the fire. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fire causes extensive damage to row of garages in Gorleston
Fire causes extensive damage to row of garages 6 minutes ago Share Save Andrew Turner BBC News, Norfolk Share Save Oliv3r Drone Photography A photograph shows the damage caused by the fire on Sunday, which was close to the A47 Gorleston Inner Relief Road Drone photographs have revealed the extensive damage caused to a row of garages following a fire. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called just after 14:00 BST on Sunday to the site off Shrublands Way, Gorleston-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth. The A47 Gorleston Inner Relief Road was closed to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze. A fire service spokesperson said: "A fire investigation is due to start when it is safe to do so." Oliv3r Drone Photography The fire took four hours to extinguish with fire crews from several stations attending Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Carrow, North Walsham and Wroxham attended. An aerial ladder platform and an incident control unit was also sent to the site. Crews used hose reel jets and hand-held appliances to extinguish the fire, which was dealt with just before 18:00 BST. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it warned residents to keep their doors and windows closed as a precaution A Norfolk Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "When we arrived, we discovered an established fire in a block of garages. "All of the garages and a temporary structure behind the garages were affected by the fire. "A message went out on our Facebook page asking people to avoid the area and for people living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed. "The A47 was closed for a number of hours but that was because we needed to fight the fire from there." Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it would start an investigation into the cause of the fire once the site has been made safe
