Fifty firefighters tackle huge blaze at Grinshill Wood

Crews from Telford, Newport and Tweedale were among those called to Grinshill Wood near Wem last night.

At its height the fire affected about 200 metres of trees, gorse and woodland, while one firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.

Fire chiefs said nearby homes were "put in jeopardy" as they fought to control the flames and they expect to remain at the scene throughout tonight as well.

This afternoon Guy Williams from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At the moment we have still got four appliances there.

"The important bit during daylight is getting water in, cooling it down because we don't know how deep the fire is, we need to dig out what is underneath.

"What we don't want is people running around on the side of the cliff when it is dark. It was very difficult to protect the properties last night – we want to make hay while the sun shines and then be defensive throughout the night keeping watch and maybe complete tomorrow morning."

It is not yet known how the blaze had started.

The massive operation from 8pm last night involved firefighters attacking the fire from the top of the hill using beaters, while defensive efforts were made at the foot to ensure flames did not get close to houses.

About 12 villagers turned out to help and Mr Williams said it made a big difference.

He said: "Houses at the bottom of the hill were in jeopardy first of all.

"The help from local people was brilliant and it makes such a difference.

"We need to know about secret pathways and information they have can be very helpful."

Jenny Martinez, owner of the Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, witnessed the fire and said she was very worried about her daughter whose home is very near to where the flames were spreading.

She said: "It was getting slightly worrying, it was even more worrying for my daughter who lives next door.

"Her oil tank for her heating oil is at the top of her garden and she's just had a full tank of oil too.

"She was on her own with her two-year-old daughter because her husband is away so it really was worrying but thankfully everything was okay and everyone was fine.

"I was up and down the hill all night, I've not had much sleep.

"It really did get quite close and there was a family next door too."

Adam Page, chairman of Clive Parish Council, lives at nearby Sherwood House.

He said: "I saw them coming back down quarry road and asked if they needed help – they said as many people as possible so I called my wife and asked her to ring round.

"I was there until 2am fighting the fire with them. They couldn't get there in their own vehicles because the tracks are rough and the vehicles are so heavily loaded they couldn't get up.

"It grew quite quickly, it was only a small fire when we got there but the warm wind was blowing it so it got out of control quickly."

Councillor Page began ferrying firefighters and hoses up and down the hill in his Land Rover and said he must have gone up and down about seven times.

By about midnight, crews had managed to put out the left-hand side of the blaze and were working to control the right-hand side.

Jenny Martinez, owner of the Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, witnessed the fire which got very close to her daughters' home.

She paid tribute to the firefighters who she said were "fantastic".

She added: "When I think they have climbed over the bracken and firs, how they have put it out.

"The terrain is just so difficult so they had to attach all the hoses across the fields.

"I think they deserve a medal."

The cause of the fire is not yet known but Guy Williams from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Good weather brings people out, they walk around and walk their dogs.

"We need them to be vigilant, fires like this can occur naturally and when people drop things too."

Councillor Page said it is the biggest fire he has ever seen since living in the area for 37 years.

He said: "It is dry as a crisp up there, it wouldn't surprise me if it was to go again on a different patch, it is like a tinder box.

"That side of the hill faces the sun at midday and it has got it all the way through the evening.

"And it's going to get hotter at the weekend."

Brian Williams, Shropshire Councillor for the Meres, added: "Grinshill Woods is one of the most beautiful countryside spots in north Shropshire and damage on this scale will take years to regenerate.

"I feel so sad for local residents, many of whom live in my division, who use it extensively for walks and to exercise their dogs."