FIREFIGHTING crews from six fire stations across West Somerset and North Devon were on Wednesday evening (July 30) battling a large blaze in a grass field on Exmoor.

The fire was spotted just before 2.30 pm and by 5 pm it had spread across about 20 acres of the field at Ranscombe Farm, Wootton Courtenay.

Villagers were advised not to use the Ranscombe road out of Wootton Courtenay while the firefighting operation was underway.

The Minehead station was the first to be mobilised to the scene by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (DSFR).

Firefighters can be seen at the scene of a large grass fire near Wootton Courtenay. PHOTO: Phil Witt.
Firefighters can be seen at the scene of a large grass fire near Wootton Courtenay. PHOTO: Phil Witt. ( )

When the crew arrived and gained access to the field they immediately a requested another fire appliance to be despatched.

DSFR’s control centre quickly increased the attendance with another three fire appliances, two all-terrain vehicles, and a water carrier because the location of the blaze meant water availability was limited.

A fire brigade Groundhog off-road vehicle from Porlock was being used to help tackle a large grass fire on Exmoor on Wednesday evening. PHJOTO: DSFR.
A fire brigade Groundhog off-road vehicle from Porlock was being used to help tackle a large grass fire on Exmoor on Wednesday evening. PHJOTO: DSFR. ( )

By the evening, the firefighters were facing multiple fire fronts and crews were deployed to work in a number of locations as they battled to extinguish the flames using beaters, a hose reel jet, a main jet, and a groundhog off-road vehicle from Porlock.

As well as Minehead and Porlock, the crews were drawn from Dulverton, Williton, Bridgwater, and Lynton.