Fire in the open – Ravensden

At 12.11pm on Friday (18), crews from Bedford, Biggleswade, Harrold, Kempston and Sandy were called to a large fire in a field near Wood End, Ravensden.

The fire involved approximately 25 acres of grazing grass, stubble and hedgerow. At its height, three fire engines, two rural water tenders, one multi-role vehicle (MRV), and a water carrier were in attendance.

Firefighters used five hose reel jets, high-pressure lances from the MRV, and a drone for aerial reconnaissance and to detect hotspots in the undergrowth.

Around 24 alpacas were safely relocated to a neighbouring field as a precaution, and early action by the farmer – who ploughed a fire break – helped to slow the spread of the fire.

Crews worked hard to bring the fire under control and successfully prevented it from affecting nearby properties.

The cause of the fire is believed to be accidenta