About 35 firefighters tackled a large, wind-driven blaze that swept across three fields on Rectory Lane in Peakirk, near Peterborough, on Saturday afternoon. Crews were called shortly after 15:35 BST and found the fire already well alight, a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue said.
Rapid response and tactics that stopped the spread
Firefighters from a number of local stations used hand tools and water to contain the flames. A farmer at the scene ploughed field breaks to halt the fire’s forward progress, an action credited with helping to prevent the blaze from reaching nearby houses and allotments.
"It was a wind-driven fire and our biggest concern was it was being driven towards houses and allotments,"
The comment came from Anthony Gould, chief officer of the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, which was first on scene. He added that the operation was physically demanding, with crews facing difficult conditions as the fire had spread across three large fields.
Who attended the incident
Multiple fire stations provided personnel and appliances to tackle the blaze. In addition to the Peterborough volunteers, crews attended from Dogsthorpe, Stanground, Whittlesey, Littleport and Stamford in Lincolnshire, as well as a specialist four-by-four vehicle from Thorney.
| Unit | Location |
|---|---|
| Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade | Peterborough |
| Cambridgeshire station crews | Dogsthorpe, Stanground, Whittlesey, Littleport |
| Stamford crews | Stamford, Lincolnshire |
| Specialist 4x4 | Thorney |
Aftercare and investigation
Crews carried out reinspections of the area overnight to check for hotspots and make sure the site remained safe. At the time of the report, the cause of the fire had not been determined.
Local residents in and around Peakirk may still notice firefighting activity or the scent of smoke while checks continue. Anyone with information about the incident, or who saw activity in the fields around Rectory Lane on Saturday afternoon, is requested to contact the relevant emergency services.
- When: Crews called at about 15:35 BST on Saturday.
- Where: Fields off Rectory Lane, Peakirk, near Peterborough.
- Response: Around 35 firefighters from multiple stations and specialist vehicles.
The involvement of the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, which operates under a contract with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, highlights the mixed composition of frontline resources used in the county for large rural fires.
