SUNDAY afternoon on August 9 was a frightening one here at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary.

A large fire broke out near Venny Tedburn, spreading from the Metford Cross area through the fields towards us. With the wind behind it and the slope of the land carrying the fire in our direction, it quickly became clear that this was something that needed to be taken very seriously.

Fire appliances at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary.
Fire appliances at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary. (Nicky, c/o Nathan Gillard)

Once the fire crews realised that the fire was heading towards Little Harford, our campsite and it being a 500 year old thatched property, the response was stepped up. Appliances were repositioned and additional fire crews were brought in from across Devon.

In total, seven fire engines and around 28 firefighters attended, with crews coming from Crediton, Middlemoor, Danes Castle Exeter Central, Okehampton, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey and Barnstaple.

Fighting the fire at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary.
Fighting the fire at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary. (Nicky, c/o Nathan Gillard)

The conditions were extremely challenging. It is so dry at the moment, and with the wind and dry vegetation, the fire could have spread very quickly. There was even the possibility that something as simple as a discarded glass bottle could have been responsible for starting it.

THANK YOU

Thankfully, there was a good hydrant near New Harford, which meant the water bowser could be stood down and the crews could concentrate on tackling the fire. They hit it hard and hit it early, and made really good progress.

Drone footage of where the fire took hold at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary, by James Sanford.
Drone footage of where the fire took hold at Little Harford, Tedburn St Mary, by James Sanford. (James Sanford)

I particularly want to thank Nathan Gillard who was there right from the start and tracked his telehandler through the edge of the fire with his bucket to create a fire break. He worked tirelessly to try and contain the fire before the fire brigade arrived and continued throughout the incident as well as helped to organise the slurry spreader from George Mortimer and also thanks to Tom who drove the slurry spreader filled with water and helped to prevent the fire from spreading.

Also a huge thank you to James Sanford. He directed the crews, explained the access and showed them how to get around the property. Knowing the land and being able to guide the firefighters made their job so much easier. Without James, getting the appliances where they needed to be would have been considerably more difficult.

Thanks also to Marc Coles who worked hard beating the area where it started to prevent it going into the woods.

And then there was the moment we realised that, somehow, the tent nearest the hedge line in the campsite had survived. With everything that was happening around it, it really did feel like a miracle.

By 5.45pm, three crews were still here at Little Harford. The fire chief was clear that the incident was not over, and Crediton stayed behind to keep an eye on things and returned after 10pm that night to check the area was safe again and remained till 2am checking the area.

A burned hedgerow and field in the distance and right, smoke rising as the fire burns at Little Harford.
A burned hedgerow and field in the distance and right, smoke rising as the fire burns at Little Harford. (Nicky, c/o Nathan Gillard)

It was an incredibly worrying afternoon, but I am so grateful for the speed and professionalism of everyone who came to help protect Little Harford.

A massive thank you to, Nathan Gillard, James Sanford, Tom from Mortimers, Marc Coles and every single firefighter who came out and worked so hard in such difficult conditions.

And thank you to everyone who was available, who helped, who checked in and who made sure we were safe and we felt very grateful and supported.

The firemen advised everyone to know the what3words for their property as it helps speed up location. Little Harford was very lucky.

Rachel Samuel

Tedburn St Mary