Dry Conditions Spell Danger

South Yorkshire firefighters have warned that the current dry spell means that a small field fire set by arsonists or a carelessly discarded cigarette could quickly escalate out of control.

The warning comes after a fire on Bradfield Dale on Thursday evening, which quickly spread to involve over 100 square metres of grassland. It was only contained after local estates staff joined forces to put out the blaze using their eight-wheeled all-terrain “argocat” vehicles, alongside Rivelin fire station’s hose reel jet.

Watch Manager Tim Lancashire said: “We are very grateful to the local estates for their actions at this incident. Without their four argocats, which are equipped with a water tank and a high pressure hose reel, this fire would have been very serious.”

The recent dry weather means field fires can spread quickly, and WM Lancashire added: “Setting fire to a small piece of grassland may seem fun but in dry conditions a small fire can quickly get out of control. We would urge people not to set a deliberate fire of any kind, and also advise visitors to be extremely careful when discarding lit materials.”

This incident occurred just after 7.00pm on Thursday evening, just off Mortimer Road. Firefighters took over two and a half hours to surround and extinguish the blaze.

Two Hurt As Car Hits House

Two women suffered facial injuries after the car in which they were travelling lost control and crashed into a house.

The incident occurred on Don Street, Wheatley, at around 4.00pm, and was attended by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and paramedics. Four occupants of the car were taken to Doncaster Royal Infimary, with a 30-year-old woman suffering facial injuries and a 23-year-old woman suffering minor injuries. A 31-year-old man and a toddler went to hospital as a precaution.

The house suffered only minor damage.