Large fire rips through field in Whittlesey
Firefighters will remain in the area tonight
Several firefighters have been tackling a large field fire which almost spread to nearby homes in Whittlesey.
Crews were called at 4.29pm today (Sunday) to the fire near to Aliwal Road.
"Crews from Stanground, the north roaming fire engine, Dogsthorpe, March, Thorney, Whittlesey, Wisbech, the Peterborough Volunteer Brigade, along with a specialist 4x4 vehicle from Thorney and the water carrier from Ramsey attended the incident," a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue (CFRS) said.
"Firefighters used hose reels and beaters to extinguish the fire and prevent further spread.
"Crews are still on scene and are working hard to find hotspots and dampen them down."
The CFRS spokesperson said Ramsey Road heading into Whittlesey has been closed because the level crossing has been shut off.
The service said crews will reinspect the area throughout the night.
One eyewitness told us they were walking along the Bower river in Whittlesey when they spotted a fire in the distance.
They said "three students initially tried to douse it (the fire) with water from the Bower" before they saw a gas canister close by, which then exploded shortly after.
Cambridgeshire Police have been asked for comment.