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A massive field fire on the Isle of Sheppey sparked a major emergency response on Monday afternoon, with firefighters battling for over five hours to contain a dramatic blaze suspected to have been started deliberately.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service was scrambled to Scrapsgate Road in Minster-on-Sea at 4:48 pm following frantic reports of dry farmland and vegetation catching light. At the height of the incident, nine fire engines alongside a specialist all-terrain vehicle were deployed to the scene to tackle the rapidly moving flames.
Crews wearing full breathing apparatus confronted intense conditions, using specialist wildfire equipment to surround and extinguish the inferno. Firefighters worked tirelessly into the late evening to damp down remaining hotspots, finally declaring the scene safe shortly after 10:00 pm on 21 July.
Fortunately, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported during the ordeal. However, authorities have launched an investigation into the cause, which is currently being treated as suspicious.