Firefighters tackle large fire at Pelton, near Chester-le-Street

People who live in the Pelton area, near Chester-le-Street, were advised at one point to close their windows and doors as the fire raged on a farmer's land. 

Emergency services were called to fields opposite the Plough Inn in Pelton Lane, between Pelton and South Pelaw at around 3.30pm. The fire was burning on around 5,000 square metres of land.

Smoke was seen for miles around. This was the view from Hobson

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County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s emergency response group manager Ian Irving said: “Reports of a large grass fire near to the Plough Inn, Pelton Fell came into the control room at approximately 3.30pm this afternoon.

“Four crews from Durham, Consett, Wheatley Hill and Bishop Auckland tackled the fire which covers approximately five thousand square metres.

“Anyone in the immediate vicinity of the fire was encouraged to close their windows and doors.”

Roads were closed while the incident was ongoing

Hot weather is understood to be responsible for the spread of several wildfires across the region today.

Speaking at the scene after the incident, station manager of the CDDFRS said: we received a call of a field on fire at 3.15pm.

"When the first firefighters got here it was of such a size that they requested the assistance of four appliances.

"Four appliances, an off-road vehicle and a water tanker were in attendance. Altogether there were 20 firefighters involved in fighting the fire." 

"The information I have at the moment is that it started with a hay bale catching fire.

"With the conditions being as dry as they are it spread quickly and caused widespread damage."

He added: "We used everything as our disposal to fight the fire. We used our large hoses reels, manual beaters and rakes.

Firefighters at the scene, Picture: Gavin Engelbrecht

"Fires of this size are always a challenge and in this heat it is really demanding.

"The crews have worked very hard, particularly preventing it from getting into the next field.

Pelton Lane was closed until 6.30pm while firefighters dealt with the scene. CDDFRS station manager Chris Williams

Firefighters at the scene

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