Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue
35 firefighters battle huge blaze as heatwave turns countryside into 'a tinderbox'
A firefighter has warned the countryside is tinder dry after one of the lowest June rainfalls on record
Trees and two-and-a-half acres of grassland have gone up in flames after the June heatwave has turned the Lincolnshire Countryside into a tinderbox.
Around 35 firefighters were called to tackle the fire at Laughton Woods at 6.43pm, last night, Thursday June 28.
A number of crews were still on the scene this morning and one side of the road remained closed with temporary traffic lights set up.
Station manager, Paul Howes, from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that they have no idea what caused the fire.
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He said: "The ground is tinder dry and the undergrowth is ready to go at any point.
"Two and a half acres were well alight. We have had the three pumps here all night long. First crews were fighting the fire and they were relieved by others throughout the night, the fire was well alight at the time.
Firefighters rush to fire at Laughton Woods
"There is an element of danger to it because, as you have seen on the films from Saddleworth moor, the winds can come across and change direction of the fire at any time - we have to be aware and leave routes to escape."
Lincolnshire has only had a third of the average amount of rainfall usually expected for June. If there is no rain before Sunday, it will qualify as the county's 11th driest June since records began.
The blaze comes after a huge blaze on Saddleworth Moor, which has been fought by a combined force of 200 firefighters and soldiers. Fears have also been raised that a water shortage is imminent, with Sourthern Water urging customers to spend no more than four minutes in the shower to conserve supplies.
The fire response to blaze at Laughton Woods
Mr Howes added the Laughton Woods fire doesn't seem to have significantly harmed wildlife in the area.
He said: "There's very little damage to the woods itself. It is open grass land.
"The fire has gone through so quickly it has burned the grass off on the surface. There is very little damage and the land will recover. We will be here for most of the day damping down.
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The cause of the fire is still unknown
"The fire is out we are making sure there are no hot spots left."
He advised people not to discard cigarettes or leave empty bottles around as they could be fire hazards.