FIRE crews from Ledbury were called out to assist colleagues from Gloucestershire after a field fire at Bromsberrow Heath threatened nearby houses.

The field, close to the local business park, had recently been cut ready for making into straw bales when it caught light, with flames and smoke moving towards the houses.

James Dowdall, aged 16, a volunteer at the village shop, called the fire brigade after spotting the blaze at about 1pm, and a fire engine was sent out from Newent, followed by a second fire appliance and a water carrier from Ledbury.

Local resident Jan Long said: "I was working in my garden and heard a very loud crackling sound and then saw smoke. At first I thought it was someone having a bonfire, but as the noise increased I saw the field ablaze and thick palls of smoke.

"I spoke to the fire officer and alerted him to the fact that there was a horse and livestock in the next fields and that our property was surrounded by fir trees, which if caught alight, could have had dire consequences."

She said that while the fire was at its heigh, the pall of smoke was about 20 feet high and Beech Lane, which runs alongside the field, was impassable because of the smoke.

"We are very fortunate that the wind did not change direction, and that the fire brigade did such a marvellous job, and most of all, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to James. His quick thinking actions certainly saved homes and properties."

The crews used three hosereels and beaters to extinguish the fire. The incident was under control shortly before 3pm.