Fire crews brought a large field and woodland fire next to the A14 in Ipswich under control after a partial road closure affected eastbound traffic on Friday.
Emergency response and road disruption
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident off Old Norwich Road after being called at 10:37 BST. Three fire engines and a water carrier were dispatched, with crews from Princes Street, Ipswich East and Needham Market among those on scene.
Suffolk Police temporarily closed the eastbound carriageway at the Whitehouse Road junction while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. Motorists were warned to expect delays and to avoid the area where possible. The road was later reopened once it was safe to do so.
Scale of the fire and firefighting effort
Crews surrounded and extinguished a fire that covered around two acres of grassland and some adjacent woodland. The blaze had been brought under control and declared out by approximately 14:00.
- Time of call: 10:37 BST
- Extent of fire: about two acres
- Appliances sent: three fire engines and a water carrier
- Crews attending: Princes Street, Ipswich East, Needham Market
- Road impact: eastbound A14 closed at Whitehouse Road junction (temporarily)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Off Old Norwich Road, Ipswich (adjacent to the A14) |
| Start time | 10:37 BST |
| Contained by | Approximately 14:00 BST |
Local impact and advice
The partial closure of a major trunk road led to congestion and delays on diversion routes while crews tackled the fire. Drivers using the A14 eastbound near Whitehouse Road were advised to allow extra journey time and, where possible, to use alternative routes until the carriageway reopened.
Suffolk’s summer conditions can increase the risk of grassfires. Residents are reminded to take care with outdoor fires, barbecues and discarded cigarettes, particularly during dry spells. Emergency services have not reported any injuries in relation to this incident.
InfoRadar will follow up if further details are released by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service or Suffolk Police.
