Firefighers tackle hay fire at Nadderwater

Firefighters are tackling a large hay fire at Nadderwater, just outside of Exeter.

Approximately 56 large bales of hay were involved in fire.

Fire crews were called to Trillow at around 9.30am today (Tuesday) following a call reporting a large quantity of hay on fire in the open.

Two fire appliances and a water bowser from Danes Castle and one fire appliance from Middlemoor attended.

Upon arrival fire crews confirmed a large quantity of hay on fire. 

Fire crews tackled the fire using one compressed air foam systems jet.

A further two appliances from Topsham and Crediton were requested.

A spokesman said: “There is approximately 15 tonnes of hay on fire within a field.  An adjacent barn is not involved in fire."  

An update issued just before 1pm confirmed fire crews were continuing to make steady progress with one compressed air foam system jet.

Update at 3.09pm: Incident now scaled down to three fire appliances and the water bowser.  Fire crews are making steady progress with one compressed air foam systems branch in use.  Fire crews are also utilising the farmers swing shovel and telehandler to spread out the hay bales.

By 4.15pm fire crews had brought the fire under control. 

A spokesman said: "Approximately 56 large bales of hay were involved in fire.  The bales have been removed from the adjacent barn to a safe area in an adjoining field. 

"Fire crews are still at work with a compressed air foam systems jet allowing the bales to burn under supervision.

"Crews will continue to revisit this incident during this evening to check the progress of the controlled burning of the hay bales."

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.