Posted: 8:31 PM, July 20, 2022
The major incident, which was declared by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, ended after more than 4,600 calls and 280 fires in one day.
Firefighters tackled blazes across the county that left homes destroyed and dozens of people evacuated amid record high temperatures on Tuesday (July 19).
Tim Edwards, chief fire officer for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, described the situation as an “unprecedented level of demand”.
“Everyone in our service, control staff, firefighters and frontline support staff have responded incredibly and I want to thank them all for their efforts this week,” he said.
Field fire destroys homes in Poringland during heatwave. – Credit: Sonya Duncan
“Unfortunately a number of homes have been damaged and destroyed where the bushfires have spread to nearby buildings in various locations and we are working with our partners at the Norfolk Resilience Forum to support the people affected.”
The force confirmed on Wednesday (July 20) afternoon that although crews remained at some incidents, firefighters had returned to normal service conditions.
Andrew Proctor, leader of the county council, said: “I am extremely proud of our firefighters and the whole of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.
“They all worked extremely hard to keep people safe in incredibly difficult conditions yesterday. They are a real credit to this county and I cannot praise them highly enough.”
Shocking video has revealed the moment gardens and homes in Achill were engulfed in flames – Credit: Pink Spitfire
In just some of the dozens of incidents, wild animals were killed at Snettisham Coastal Park, near Wild Ken Hill, after a fierce fire tore through the land.
Houses were badly damaged after a major fire in School Road, Ashmanhaugh and in Poringland.
Part of the A47 was closed at Hopton, on the Norfolk border, due to a large field fire which started from the Coast Road.
Fifteen fire engines were also called to a field fire behind The Oaks, in Ashill near Swaffham, after several houses caught fire.
Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for communities and partnerships, added: “The work of the fire service over the past few days has been truly breathtaking amid incredibly intense demand.
Margaret Dewsbury, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships – Picture: Norfolk Conservatives
“As this demand has eased, allowing the major incident to be contained, I would like to thank every member of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service for their exemplary behavior under extreme pressure.
“But the fact is that the men and women of the service will continue to answer calls even as the rest of us return to life in cooler temperatures, and we all owe it to them to make sure our own behavior is watch out for the fire and do not increase the risk of further incidents as the summer continues.”
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