WELLINGTON fire fighters were mobilised to Westward Grange in Rockwell Green on Monday morning (June 24) after a ‘controlled’ burn spread to a hedgerow along the railway tracks.

One local resident told the Wellington Weekly they reported the incident to the fire brigade after seeing flames at 6.30am.

By around 9am fire fighters had extinguished the flames and issued a warning over setting fires in warm and dry weather.

Issuing a statement a spokesperson for Wellington Fire Station said: “Crews have returned from a fire in the open in the Rockwell Green area where a hedgerow accidentally caught on fire due to a controlled burn. As the weather is getting warmer and everything is getting drier there’s a high chance things could escalate quickly and get out of control when having a controlled burn.

“Visit the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service website to learn some simple steps to consider if you’re planning a controlled burn such as; burn away from flammable substances, hedges, trees and electrical cables and have a bucket of water or hose pipe nearby.

“Consider what it is you’re burning as some items are more combustible than others. Inform our control room so they’re aware. Keep children and pets inside and away from the fire. Monitor the fires progress and don’t leave it unattended. When the fire is finished extinguish fully using a bucket of water.”

It comes after weeks of warm weather for the town amid what has been described as a ‘heatwave’ across large parts of the country.