Church Stretton gorse fire not controlled burning
A blaze that broke out on the top of a Shropshire hill was put out by firefighters in about two hours.
The gorse fire took place at Townsbrook Hollow on the slopes of the Long Mynd, overlooking Church Stretton, on Sunday evening.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said not every gorse fire on the Shropshire hills is an emergency, as it is the time of year that controlled burning takes place to clear the land for the season ahead.
But at about 5.15pm on Sunday a crew from Church Stretton was called to tackle about 100 square metres that had gone up in flames when no burning was scheduled to be taking place.
John Harrison, speaking for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It is the time of year when landowners burn off the gorse. We are informed of when it is happening and it happens for a very good reason – it doesn't ordinarily give us any problems."
He said on Thursday and Friday there had been controlled burning on the top of the hill, which people may have seen from the town below.
But on Sunday evening the alarm was raised when a fire appeared to break out spontaneously.
He said: "The most likely thing is that controlled burning tends to burn down to the roots of the gorse and can travel underground and re-emerge elsewhere."
He said the fire was dealt by 7pm, with firefighters using water-filled knapsacks, shovels and rakes to ensure the roots were completely put out.
