Tonnes of baled straw ablaze near Marlborough sparks fire service response

Firefighters are battling a blaze involving tonnes of baled straw near Marlborough.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) are understood to have been called to the incident at around 4.30pm this afternoon (25 August).

At least two fire engines and a water carrier appliance are in attendance.

The incident is believed to be on the Rabley Farm site just east of Marlborough, but this has not been officially confirmed.

UPDATE 5.20PM

A new photograph, sent in by a local resident, reveals the extent of the large fire.

UPDATE 6.15PM

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: “We were called to Poulton Hill, Marlborough at 4.07pm this afternoon for a fire involving 30 tonnes of baled straw.

“Two fire engines (from Marlborough and Swindon), a small 4×4 pump from Ludgershall and a water carrier from Pewsey were sent to the scene; they found the bales well alight, with the fire spreading to the adjacent stubble field.

“Beaters and hose reel jets have been used to extinguish the field, and the adjacent hedgerow has been damped down to protect it from fire. Farm machinery has been used to create a fire break around the bales, and these are now burning out under control.

“Only the one crew from Marlborough remain on scene and the stop hasn’t yet come in.”