Grass fire the size of a 'football field' breaks out in Coventry

[dutchman]

There have been around 20 fires in just four days across the city



Firefighters have warned that a fire similar to the huge blaze in Manchester could happen in Coventry - unless people are more careful.

It comes after a four-day period in which fire crews battled at least 15 grass fires across the city, though fire bosses believe that there could be upwards of 20 blazes.

And a mixture of carelessness and malice is to blame, with a number of the fires believed to have been started deliberately.

Crews across the city have been called to fires in recent days, but none have been as busy as Binley Fire Station's purple watch, who have dealt with around 15 fires since Friday.

Watch Commander Andy Higgins said: "The grass fires in the last four days have been the bane of my life.

"We've dealt with maybe 15 fires in that time, both small and big. One, in Wood End, was the size of a football field.

"People are so irresponsible.

"The grass is just like tinder and people dropping cigarettes or even setting fire to grass on purpose, it really isn't helping.

"The council have been out cutting grass as well, and I'm not sure that's sensible.

"We've all seen what's happening in Manchester, and it's awful. In all likelihood, it could happen here."

West Midlands Fire Service have sent two trucks from Walsall to Manchester, to help the northern crews in their efforts tackling the Winter Hill fire.

One of the many fires that required Watch Commander Andy and his team to tackle was a field on Eburne Road in Aldermans Green.

Binley Station sent two appliances to tackle the fire, leaving a huge amount of scorched earth.

Andy said: "I was there tackling the fire and I was nearly overcome by the smoke.

"And just yards away, there's kids just standing and watching, it's unbelievable.

"It's difficult to say what causes these fires. It was most likely deliberate.

"You don't want to point the finger but a lot of these happen at kicking out times at school, and on the weekend."