Brave pair praised after saving countryside from wildfire

Flames were spotted coming from woodland on the approach to the summit, on the Adams Hill side of the north Worcestershire beauty spot, at around 6pm on Sunday (April 6).

Quick-thinking members of the public alerted the fire service but meanwhile a passing cyclist and hiker attempted to stamp out the flames to try to stop the blaze from spreading.

Cyclist Jamie Gardiner, aged 53, leapt into action to try to minimise the fire and he said: "At first I thought what idiots have done this? Then it was - this is pretty big. Can I do something about it? I’m happy we managed to get it under control when we did. Otherwise I reckon it wouldn’t have been the same outcome.”

Passing hiker Chris Rademacher also helped to try to put out the flames using disposable barbecue items that were found littered nearby while awaiting the arrival of the fire service.

The National Trust has since thanked the brave pair for their efforts in staving off a larger incident and trust bosses have issued a warning to members of the public urging people not to barbecue at beauty spots or light fires in the countryside.

George Kirkham, conservation, programming and partnerships manager, said: “We’re very grateful to the members of the public who raised the alarm and helped to contain the fire between Clent Hills and Adams Hill on Sunday evening. 

Without their quick action, the damage to vegetation and wildlife could have escalated quickly. We’d also like to thank the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service who attended and ensured the area was safe.

"We would like to remind anyone visiting Clent, or any countryside area, that we can all play a part in preventing wildfires by not using barbeques, lighting fires or using naked flames and taking litter home with you. Many areas of land are dry and all it takes is a single spark from a barbecue or a dropped cigarette to cause a serious fire.

“Fires like these undermine our work to care for nature and respond to the climate emergency, which are priorities for the National Trust.“It is also vital that we respond quickly to any fires which might occur in the countryside. If you see fire anywhere, including in the outdoors please call 999 and report it immediately.”

Firefighters from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the hillside at around 6.30pm and ensured the remaining embers were not able to reignite.

A spokesperson for the fire service said a crew from Bromsgrove Fire Station attended after receiving an emergency call at 6.04pm - adding: “A fire involving a scrub area around 6m by 6m had been extinguished before the arrival of the fire service who dampened down the area using back packs. The incident was marked as pending closure at 7.11pm.“

In this current spell of dry weather, which is forecast to continue throughout the week, we would urge people to be extra careful when they are out and about to help prevent countryside fires.”