Emergency services were called to a field close to Saxondale island, between Bingham and Cropwell Butler, on Friday evening after a large haystack caught fire. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said about 1,200 bales of hay were burning and crews remained on scene into Saturday to monitor and extinguish the blaze.
Police treating blaze as suspected arson
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed officers are investigating the incident as suspected arson and advised members of the public to avoid the area while enquiries continue.
"The fire was currently under control," Nottinghamshire Police said, adding officers were "currently investigating the incident as suspected arson."
A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service statement said one fire engine remained on site on Saturday and that crews were expected to be there for some time as they continued to monitor and extinguish the fire safely.
Local impact and safety
The blaze involved a substantial quantity of stored feed, and while there have been no published reports of injuries, the size of the fire and drifting smoke can affect nearby roads and properties. Residents in the immediate area were urged to keep windows and doors closed to limit smoke ingress and to follow any directions from emergency services at the scene.
- Location: Field near Saxondale island (between Bingham and Cropwell Butler).
- Scale: Around 1,200 haybales involved.
- Response: Crews from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service; one engine remained on site on Saturday.
- Investigation: Nottinghamshire Police are treating the incident as suspected arson.
What residents should do
People planning travel through the area should allow extra time and consider alternative routes until police and fire service operations conclude. Anyone who witnessed the fire, has dashcam or doorbell footage, or who may have information relevant to the investigation has been asked to contact Nottinghamshire Police to assist ongoing enquiries.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Approximate number of bales | 1,200 |
| Location | Saxondale island (near Bingham / Cropwell Butler) |
| Emergency services | Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service; Nottinghamshire Police |
| Incident status | Fire under control; suspected arson being investigated |
I will continue to monitor updates from the emergency services and local police. If you have information that could help the investigation, please contact Nottinghamshire Police through their usual non-emergency channels and quote the incident if given a reference number by officers on scene.
