Combine harvester fires in Ugborough area and Newton Tracey

One was in a field near Ugborough, the other inbetween Horwood, Lovacott and Newton Tracey.

Just before 1pm the fire service was called to reports of a combine harvester on fire in the Ugborough area in South Hams.

Crews from Ashburton, Kingsbridge, Plympton and Ivybridge were mobilised.

When they arrived they found that the machine was well alight - as was the field, grain and some 40 metres of hedgerow as the flames had spread.

They tackled the fires with hose reel jets and beaters and succeeded in putting the fire out.

The combine harvester was severely damaged. The cause was deemed to be accidental ignition.

Just 20 minutes later, the fire service received reports of another combine harvester on fire in a field near Horwood, Lovacott and Newton Tracey.

Fire crews from Barnstaple, Appledore and Bideford attended the fire that was so severe that on arrival, a third appliance was called for - and then a fourth.

The combine harvester was well alight and the fire had spread to two trailers and 150 square metres of crops.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used main jets, a hose reel jet and beaters to tackle the fire.

The combine harvester was severely damaged and the trailers partially damaged. Unfortunately, the crops involved were totally destroyed.

The cause of the fire was accidental.

This is the latest is a surge of farm machinery fires, barn fires and field fires due to a lethal cocktail of heatwave, drought and harvest.

There are ten top tips for preventing combine harvester fires here.