Terrifying pictures show fire raging close to Swindon hospital

A fire broke out in a field near Day House Lane, close to Badbury Park Primary School  between Coate Water and the Great Western Hospital, at around 10pm on Friday night. 

It is believed to have been caused by a snapped powerline igniting the dry field.

People living in the surrounding area reported power cuts around the time the fire started, with two taking place in Wanborough - and several people said on social media that they had seen a flash of light. 

The powerline that started the fire to the left of the flames photo: Phoenix Stewart

Elliot Watts was in Liddington looking to the skies when he saw the huge blaze chucking smoke up into the air, and posted about it onto the Swindon Community Notice Board. 

He added that all the streetlights and traffic lights had stopped working. 

Elliot said: "Some mates and I were just looking at the moon and stars etc. But as we drove back down into Swindon the traffic lights were out on the roundabout, all the lampposts were off and the petrol station was all blacked out with no lights on at all."

The fire in the distance from Liddington Photo: Elliott Watts

James Green, took this photo from within Badbury Park, showing the orange flames looming behind houses in a street in the residential area. 

Fire behind Badbury Park houses Photo: James Green

Jenny Green shared another photo of the fire near her property. She had called 999 to report it at 10.35pm and was told that an officer would go round to hers if she needed to evacuate.

Flames not far away from a house Photo: Jenny Green

But, despite the close proximity to people's homes, initial reports suggest that no one was hurt and that fire crews were able to get it under control. 

Hayley Goodenough reported that emergency services had closed the road while fire crews fought the fire and that some residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution. 

More photos of the fire taken from Badbury Park Photo: Hayley Goodenough  Somebody claiming to be the owner of the land that caught fire said on Facebook that all of their animals are safe as well. 

The hot weather and lack of rainfall has made fields in the area extremely dry and significantly more flammable and as a result, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have already had to tackle several wildfires that have broken out in the South West. 

It has also issued a red fire warning encouraging people to not use barbecues outside, light fireworks or do anything else with an open flame that could cause another fire. a

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have been approached for a statement.