Crews tackle 'ongoing' large grassland fire in Devon
Firefighters have contained a significant 50-acre grassland fire in Mincinglake Valley Park, Exeter. While the blaze caused residents to flee their homes, the area is now considered safe and the major incident status has been stood down.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing risks of wildfires in urban-fringe areas and the effectiveness of emergency response coordination in protecting local infrastructure.
Image source, Paul Alleway Image caption, Devon Wildlife Trust said it was 'too early' to assess the impact of the fire
Dozens of firefighters are tackling a "significant" grassland blaze that caused several people to flee their homes earlier.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it received multiple calls reporting the grass fire at about 14:50 BST in Mincinglake Valley Park in Exeter, Devon.
Firefighters are still tackling the flames, but a fire service spokesperson has said that it is safe for anyone who had left a property in the area to return.
They said: "The fire is now contained within the area of Mincinglake Valley, so please continue to avoid the affected area."
A spokesperson for Devon Wildlife Trust, which manages Mincinglake Valley Park, described the fire as "significant" and said staff are on-site assisting emergency services.
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