UPDATE: Huge fire outside Haverhill being treated as arson

A huge field fire on the outskirts of Haverhill is being treated as arson by the police.

Fire crews were called at 9.47pm yesterday (July 27) to reports of a field fire in Great Wilsey Farm in Haverhill Road, Little Wratting.

Combined Fire Control received numerous calls to a stack fire at the above location. Two appliances from Haverhill were mobilised.

On arrival crews found approximately 200 tonnes of baled straw, worth around £5,000, well alight located close to standing crops.

One hose reel and beaters are being used to protect the surrounding areas.

Relief crews consisting of an appliance from Long Melford and Clare have been sent to take over from Haverhill and these crews are currently at the incident.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said the fire was put out by 12.16am but that crews remained on the scene. No injuries or casualties were reported.

One witness said: “It was burning for a long time, it was a huge fire.

“It was still burning this morning, rather than just smoking.”

A police spokesperson said the fire was being treated as a deliberate case of arson.

Carl Francis, Area Commander for Prevention and Protection at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, warned that incidents like this put the lives of the public, as well as those of fire fighters, at risk and could divert resources away from other, non-deliberate, emergencies.

“It is a risk to us,” he said. “People don’t understand the risks when they start a fire deliberately or maliciously and the dangers associated with that.

“There are dangers to people with the fire and the smoke, which can affect road ways and other residential areas.

“The spread of those fires is, also, obviously dangerous. People should realise what it is they are doing. There are consequences to these actions.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Haverhill police on 101, quoting reference HH/15/1867.