Dozens of firefighters were deployed to tackle a large field fire in East Bergholt, on the Suffolk-Essex border, after emergency services were alerted on Saturday evening.
What happened
Emergency services received a report of a fire in a stubble field on Putticks Lane at 6.48pm on Saturday (24 July). Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said that approximately 80 hectares of cut straw, trees and hedgerow were alight.
Fire crews responded in force. In total, 18 fire vehicles attended the scene and a road closure was put in place from Heath Road to Mill Road while operations were under way. Residents in the immediate area were advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
Response and current status
By late Saturday night the service reported that good progress had been made and the incident was under control. Crews remained on site to manage the situation and continue dampening down to reduce the risk of re-ignition.
"Good progress has been made in tackling the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on site to manage the incident and continue dampening down."
- Time of call: 6.48pm, Saturday 24 July
- Area affected: about 80 hectares
- Appliances sent: 18 fire vehicles
- Precautions: road closure from Heath Road to Mill Road; residents advised to close windows and doors
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Area alight | ~80 hectares |
| Fire vehicles at scene | 18 |
| Time of alert | 6.48pm, 24 July |
The scale of the blaze and the number of appliances deployed underline the challenges crews faced when tackling fire in cut straw and hedgerow — materials that can spread rapidly, particularly in dry conditions.
Local impact and advice
Residents living near Putticks Lane and the surrounding area were advised to keep doors and windows closed while firefighting operations continued, to limit exposure to smoke. Temporary road closures were implemented to allow emergency vehicles to operate safely.
At this stage the fire service has not issued further updates on causes or on any potential evacuations. The incident remained being managed on site as crews worked through the night to fully extinguish hotspots.
Anyone with concerns about property access or air quality should follow instructions from emergency services and local authorities. For significant incidents like this, updates are usually issued via Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service channels and local media as further information becomes available.
Suffolk residents can stay informed by checking official local emergency service social media accounts and the county council's noticeboard for road closure information.
