More than 60 firefighters tackle grassland blaze

More than 60 firefighters are at the scene of a grasslands blaze after a bonfire "rapidly" burnt out of control and spread to adjacent fields.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) were called at 13:40 BST on Friday to reports of a large fire in the open on Devizes Road in Hilperton, Trowbridge.

The fire service warned of a "significant smoke plume" affecting the surrounding area, and advised residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said around 114 properties were without power due to damage to overhead lines, reduced from an initial 13,000.

In a statement, DWFRS said: "Two crews from Trowbridge were initially mobilised and found an out-of-control bonfire, spreading to adjacent fields.

"Due to the rapid fire spread, a number of additional appliances were mobilised."

Crews from Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Frome, and Calne are in attendance, along with small 4x4 pumping appliances from Castle Cary and Ludgershall. and a water carrier from Royal Wootton Bassett.

The Cradock family, who farm some of the affected fields, say they have lost half of their straw bales in the blaze, which they use as winter bedding for livestock.

Approximately 3km (1.8 miles) x 3km (1.8 miles) of field are involved, containing multiple fires.

The road past the nearby Trowbridge Rugby Club was closed as a result, but has since reopened.

"Additionally, power in the area has been isolated due to the fire and we're aware it's affecting a large number of homes and traffic lights," added Trowbridge Fire Station.

"We are working hard to extinguish the fire and bring the incident to a close."

Wiltshire Search and Rescue Service has also sent its Incident Command Unit along with a aerial drone team to help identify thermal hotspots.

A Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks spokesperson said the electrical network would be reconfigured around the isolated area in stages, and thanked customers for their understanding and patience during the temporary outage.

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