RESIDENTS were evacuated from their homes during the early hours of this morning as five fire crews tackled a large blaze in woodland at Helsby.
At 02:23 fire engines from Frodsham, Powey Lane, Runcorn, Ellesmere Port and Chester, and the all terrain wildfire vehicle and a water bowser attended at Ridgeway near Helsby following reports of a large grassland fire in woodland.
It was the second large fire in this area in 12 hours and took significant resources to deal with. Fire investigators believe both were started deliberately.
Head of Service Delivery Matt Barlow said: “This type of fire can have devastating consequences. It puts our firefighters at risk, property at risk and destroys wildlife. We strongly encourage everyone to take extra care while out and about during the dry weather. Please do not light fires or barbecues; as this incident shows they can very quickly get out of control.”
Matt added: “We will be involving the police and anyone with information about how these fires started should call 101.”
UPDATE AT 08:00 | Crews have been tackling a large fire measuring about 150 metres in length involving woodland and grassland. The incident was split into sectors and main water jets were deployed. A small number of residents who live nearby were evacuated as a precaution.
UPDATE AT 08:23 | Cheshire Police have now closed The Ridgeway to prevent public access while we continue to deal with the incident.
UPDATE AT 09:50 | The incident now requires only four fire engines. Crews are damping down and checking for hotspots. All evacuated residents have returned to their homes.
UPDATE AT 14:55 | Given the scale of the area affected, crews are continuing to monitor and damp down. They will remain at the scene for some time to come.
UPDATE AT 22:15 | Attendance has been reduced to three fire engines. Firefighters are using thermal imaging cameras to check for hotspots and have two main water jets on standby if require.