‘Absolutely gutted beyond words’: Devastation as large chunk of Guisborough Woods burnt down

14 April 2019

Published by https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/


UK: A large section of Guisborough Woods has been “completely destroyed” in a devastating fire.

The far east end of the woods caught fire on Saturday afternoon and fire fighters battled for around seven hours to bring it under control.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We were called at 2.29pm to a large woodland fire reported in the Guisborough forestry near Charltons village, Guisborough.

“Six appliances attended this incident with two off road vehicles.”

They added: “Cleveland Fire Brigade worked for several hours to contain this fire and the stop message was timed at 9.36pm.

“There was a large amount of woodland and heathland destroyed.”

Richard Johnston posted on the Facebook Group Guisborough News & Views: “I’m very sorry to say that most of the far east end of the woods were completely destroyed today.

“This included Guisborough’s largest new pine forest plantation consisting of Sitka Spruce and various other young varieties of pine.

“Easily the most disastrous fire to occur in the woods in my lifetime and the scale of it has to be seen to be believed.

“Can’t begin to imagine how many animals and plants have been incinerated.

“Absolutely gutted beyond words.”

Pictures from the aftermath of the fire show a scene of blackened devastation with much of the woodland destroyed.

Alan Brown, group manager of Cleveland Fire Brigade, told the BBC that the brigade’s biggest challenge was getting water to the remote spot.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause, but members of the public have been reminded to be mindful of discarded fires, cigarettes or glass bottles which could start a blaze when the sun strikes them.

He also said the dry weather and sunny days of the past week could have contributed.

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