'Extremely large unattended bonfire' put out by Shropshire firefighters with 12,000 litres of water

Two fire crews were called to tackle ‘an extremely large unattended bonfire’ near Bridgnorth.

The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service crews were sent from Bridgnorth Fire Station to the site off the A458 at Tasley - near to the auction market, at around 10pm yesterday - Thursday, June 19.

An update from the fire station following the incident said: “Around 22:00hrs we were called to a fire in the open by the auction market on the A458 at Tasley.

“Crews easily located an extremely large unattended bonfire measuring approximately 8x15m and three metres high.

“Due to the size of the fire, the fact no one was with it and close proximity to bushes and tyres, the decision was made to extinguish.

“We requested the attendance of our water carrier and a combined 12,000 litres of water was applied.

“Thank you to the drivers who waited at the junction into Wenlock Rise while the water carrier refilled from the large hydrant.”

It marked the end of a busy day for Bridgnorth Fire Station which started at 10am with a call to a fire alarm in Highley which had accidentally been activated by paint fumes in a property being renovated.

Just before noon the station was called to a help sheep which had become struck in the river at Quatford.

Two trained firefighters entered the water and assisted the animal from the river and back onto dry land and ensured it didn’t re-enter the water.