The blaze was captured on camera by a cyclist
This photo taken by a local woman cycling along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path on July 12, captures fires in the neighbouring field
A woman from Bristol, who was cycling to Bath and back on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, has captured images of a fire in one of the neighbouring fields near Bitton.
The woman, who was travelling on the busy cycle route said she saw the fire at around 5.30pm, but didn’t know how it had started.
She told BristolLive: “To my surprise one of the fields had a massive fire just after the Bitton Station. There are normally cows on the right and horses on the left.
“The one with the cows had caught a massive fire. I didn’t witness how it started.”
The cyclist managed to capture some images of the fire, with bright orange flames almost touching the cycle path itself in more than one section of the field.
Plumes of smoke can be seen in the images, while the ground in the field appeared charred by the blaze.
The location of the field which had fallen victim to fire sits right next to not only the cycle path but the working steam train track, which sees summer train rides travel through to and from Avon Valley Railway, the home of which is at Bitton Station.
More than one blaze can be seen, as well as charred ground and plumes of smoke
Some have speculated that the fire could have been caused by one of the steam trains, however this has not been confirmed as of yet.
According to the calendar of events on the railway’s website, two special events were scheduled across the weekend of July 12 and 13, involving what was reportedly the ‘final ride’ of one of the railway’s beloved steam engines.
In other posts to social media, witnesses described how Avon Fire & Rescue Service had been at the scene to put out the fire.
BristolLive has approached Avon Fire & Rescue and Avon Valley Railway for comment on this matter.
Advice and guidance from the Fire Service
Avon Fire & Rescue recently published to its website advice and guidance on staying safe in hot weather, with the region having seen a lot of sunshine and temperatures as high as in their 30s so far this summer.
On the web page, the service said: “As temperatures rise and vegetation begins to dry out, Avon Fire & Rescue Service is urging residents and visitors to take extra precautions to prevent fires and heat-related illnesses during the warmer months.
“With prolonged dry conditions across the region, the risk of accidental fires has significantly increased. Actions like discarding a cigarette or leaving a disposable barbecue unattended can have devastating consequences.
“Avoid open flames near dry grass or woodland. Even a small spark can quickly lead to a wildfire.
“Always extinguish cigarettes and smoking materials completely before disposal. Never throw cigarette butts on the ground, especially in grassy or wooded areas.
“Take litter home. Discarded glass can focus sunlight and start fires in dry grasslands.
“Use disposable barbecues responsibly. Never leave them unattended and ensure they are fully extinguished and cooled before discarding.
“Refrain from lighting bonfires during dry conditions. If a bonfire is essential, never leave it unattended and ensure it is fully extinguished before leaving the site.”