Incredible moment farmer desperately tries to slow down ferocious wildfire to save his neighbour’s home
A HERO farmer saved his neighbour’s home from a ferocious wildfire by fearlessly ploughing crops around the blaze.
As firefighters rushed to the scene, farmer Bill Alexander “rapidly stepped in” and tackled the inferno himself – creating a firebreak with his tractor.
The huge crop blaze had broken out in a field near Maidstone, Kent, in mid-afternoon on Saturday.
Flames could be seen from miles away as the wildfire rapidly spread across almost 20 acres.
And when the wind turned, the inferno moved at breakneck speed towards a house before brave neighbour Bill rushed into action.
Footage showed the farmer unbelievably using his tractor to tear through the fire’s path, riding just metres away from the blaze.
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The video was captured by the farm’s owner Andy Barr, who heaped praise on his “good neighbour” for his fearless act of bravery.
He wrote: “Please tell everyone to be careful what they do along roads and paths, 20ha of spring barley up in flames.
“This pic from my son was when the wind turned towards my brother’s house, luckily Bill Alexander and Jonny & Ellie from TCAgri saved the day.”
The wildfire raged for 90 minutes before it was extinguished, but all local residents thankfully got away safely.
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It is not yet known what caused the crop fire.
A fire service spokesman said: “We were sent to reports of a standing crop fire in fields on Lenham Heath.
“Crews worked hard to get the fire under control which covered approximately eight hectares, the equivalent of almost 20 acres.
“The fire has been brought under control and put out. Firefighters escorted persons who were in the vicinity to safety. There are no reports of any injuries.”
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Yesterday’s wildfire comes after a string of blazes that broke out during last week’s heatwave that saw Brits bask in the hottest day since records began.
Emergency services battled hundreds of blazes across the nation as the scorching temperatures turned Britain into a tinderbox.
At least five blazes broke out in East London, causing the London Fire Brigade to declare a major incident as they extinguished fires throughout the capital.
A massive inferno sparked panic among motorists on the A2 as grassland went up in flames, mirroring the wildfire that Bill Alexander fearlessly tackled in his tractor.