Somerset Live reports that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is tackling a large field fire near a housing estate in Ilchester. Six fire engines are at the scene after multiple calls came in.
Crews found two sets of fire when they arrived and are using two hose reel jets, one 70ml hose, one 45ml hose and one breathing apparatus to bring it under control. People in the area have been told to keep their doors and windows shut while the incident continues.
Ilchester field fire response
The fire service said there is also a hedge on fire near the housing estate in Ilchester. That means the response is not limited to one patch of ground, and crews are working across more than one fire point at the same time.
The service said the size of the blaze is currently unknown. That leaves the response focused on containment first: stopping spread, protecting nearby homes and clearing the visible fire before the scale can be judged from the ground.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Six fire engines on one incident is a strong sign that the service has treated the call as a significant local risk. The combination of multiple calls, two sets of fire and a hedge alight suggests crews are dealing with a wider area than a single isolated hotspot.
For residents in the area, the immediate instruction is simple: keep doors and windows shut until crews finish their work at the scene. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the incident is ongoing and fire crews remain at the scene in Ilchester.
Residents in the area
The open question is how much of the field and surrounding edge has been affected, and what caused the fire to start. Until that is established, the practical step for people nearby is to follow the closure advice and avoid the smoke exposure risk that comes with an active fire next to homes.
