Eight fire crews battle Saltby blaze through the night
Two fire engines from Melton station were deployed shortly after 5pm as part of the emergency response near to The Butts and firefighters remain at the scene this morning.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it joined crews from the Lincolnshire and Notinghamshire brigades in fighting the fire.
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They worked to create a fire break to prevent blazes in three locations spreading to further neighbouring stacks.
Two stacks of straw and four tonnes of tyres were alight in the incident, which is believed to have been caused deliberately.
A spokesman for the Leicestershire brigade said yesterday (Wednesday): “This was a significant blaze which involed approximately 4,000 tonnes of wheat, 250 tonnes of hay and rape seed and 600 to 700 tyres.
“Some crews are still at the scene and are likely to be for some time.
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“Fire investigators are looking into the cause but it is believed at this stage to have been deliberate.”
Aside from the two Melton appliances, Leicestershire sent fire engines from Birstall and Oakham.
A water carrier from Loughborough station, a command vehicle from Shepshed station and a welfare vehicle from Kibworth station were also deployed to the scene.
Large plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing across the sky from miles away and residents in Saltby and surrounding villages were advised to keep their windows and doors closed at the height of the fire.