Fire service issue update after huge blaze breaks out in Wiltshire field

The fire broke out in West Overton at around 6.32pm, with 100 acres of spring barley destroyed by the fire, which has now been extinguished.

Multiple crews from Marlborough, Calne, Ramsbury, Swindon, Stratton, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Melksham and Pewsey were all on the scene.

A small 4x4 pumping appliance from Ludgershall, water carriers from Pewsey and Royal Wootton Bassett and an Incident Command Unit from Devizes were also deployed.

Both crews were mobilised to a standing crop fire near #Marlborough tonight alongside @DWFRSSwindon and multiple pumps from across the service. #heroes #dwfire pic.twitter.com/7ueoIAWohJ

— Stratton St Margaret Fire Station (@DWFRSStratton) August 8, 2022

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen from as far as Swindon and Marlborough.

The fire was put out at around 10.20pm  the same evening.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call at 6.32pm yesterday evening about a field fire in West Overton. Crews from Marlborough, Calne, Ramsbury, Swindon, Stratton (x2), Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Melksham and Pewsey attended the incident, along with a small 4x4 pumping appliance from Ludgershall, water carriers from Pewsey and Royal Wootton Bassett and an Incident Command Unit from Devizes.

“The fire involved approximately 100 acres of spring barley, all of which was destroyed.

“A farmer assisted crews by creating a fire break in the field using a large tractor – the fire was extinguished using hose reel jets. The stop came at 10.19pm.”