A significant grass fire near Newton Road in Winwick prompted a substantial emergency response on Sunday afternoon, with crews working alongside a local farmer to prevent the blaze from spreading into neighbouring land.
What happened
The incident began shortly after 1.20pm when a fire in a skip is believed to have spread into a nearby field. The resulting blaze covered an area reported to be approximately 400 by 300 metres. Multiple calls to the emergency services led to four fire crews being dispatched to the scene.
“Firefighters used hose reels and beaters to tackle the blaze, working alongside a farmer who used farm machinery to create a fire break.”
The account above was provided by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. Crews used hose reels and beaters to extinguish the flames while the farmer assisted by creating a mechanical fire break to halt further progress.
Local impact and response
Although the fire was substantial in size, the coordinated response by fire crews and the local farmer helped contain it before it could spread to buildings or more vulnerable areas. At this stage the incident is believed to have started accidentally, originating from the skip fire and extending into dry grass.
- Approximate fire size: 400 x 300 metres
- Location: near Newton Road, Winwick
- Time: shortly after 1.20pm on Sunday
- Response: four fire crews, hose reels, beaters and farm machinery
- Probable cause: fire in a skip that spread to the field
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Reported time | Shortly after 1.20pm |
| Area affected | Circa 400 x 300 metres |
| Responding service | Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service |
| Resources used | Hose reels, beaters, farm machinery fire break |
At present there are no reports in the available information of injuries or damage to property. The incident underlines how quickly fires can spread from relatively small sources — such as a skip fire — into open ground, particularly during dry conditions.
Practical points for residents and landowners
While specific local safety notices were not issued in the material provided, the episode highlights several practical considerations for people who live or work near open ground:
- Take care when disposing of hot ashes or lighting small fires or barbecues close to dry grass.
- Report any small fires immediately to the emergency services to reduce the risk of escalation.
- Keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles and follow any instructions from fire crews at the scene.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor official updates from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and local authorities in case further information about the cause or consequences of the incident becomes available.
