A fire erupted near the Kingsgrove estate, located to the east of Wantage, on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift response from local fire services. Eyewitnesses reported seeing fire engines racing to the scene, with smoke billowing across the town, visible from far distances.
Photographs captured dramatic scenes of fire engines navigating through crop fields to access the fire. Sam Floyd, an onlooker who first witnessed the blaze from her friend’s garden, mentioned: “I initially assumed it was a bonfire due to the smoke’s size, but the extent became apparent as I moved for a better view.”
Another witness, Andy Braithwaite, observed the smoke being carried towards the nearby Lockinge Estate by a breeze, noting the firefighters’ struggle in controlling the flames. The fire’s intensity required a response from eight fire crews. Engines were dispatched from various towns including Didcot, Charlbury, Abingdon, and Watlington, supplemented by water carriers from Wheatley and Berkshire, and 4x4s from Wantage and Burford.
The fire, located at Icknield Way, involved a barn and surrounding field. This route serves as a vital connection from Wantage to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and Didcot. Fire crews utilized breathing apparatus, hose lines, and beaters to extinguish the fire.
The operation concluded around 6:30 PM, after almost three hours. An investigation has been initiated, with collaboration between Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police to ascertain the fire’s cause. Thames Valley Police has been approached for comments regarding the investigation.
Interestingly, this incident coincided with another fire near Haddenham on Saturday afternoon, where a crew from Thame and another from Aylesbury Fire Station responded to a field fire. The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service noted that Saturday’s fire appears to have started accidentally. Crews remained on-site for an hour to damp down the area, mitigating the risk of reignition. Photos from the service depict the extensive damage caused by the blaze.
For local businesses seeking guidance on fire safety compliance, Oxfordshire County Council’s website offers valuable resources and information.
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