Farmer loses thousands after huge fire in fields

A farmer has lost thousands of pounds after a huge fire claimed 129 of his straw bales.

Ian Cradock was shocked when flames spread at his family farm in Hilperton, near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, on 24 July.

He says it is "possible" he will spend close to £10,000 to replace lost straw bales and hedgerows.

"The straw is the most initial thing," he said. "Bales were making £40 a piece this year and we lost 129. We managed to put a firebreak in the field and prevent the loss of another 330, so that was something. We are grateful for small mercies."

The Cradock family, who have been farming in Hilperton since 1933, saw two fields impacted by the fire.

Vital hedgerows used to house wildlife and a dedicated wildflower area were destroyed along with the straw bales.

Investigations are underway into the cause of the blaze. The fire service believe it was accidental and due to an out-of-control bonfire.

"It is madness trying to light a bonfire in this weather," Cradock said.

"It was quite scary at the time. You just do what you can to stop it."

A burning smell still emanates over the land.

Cradock continued: "There will be a lot of hedge replanting and reseeding of boundaries to do in the coming months.

"Initially the loss of the straw - which is in very short supply this year - that's the main thing. But also if you look at the hedgerows, we've lost a couple kilometres of hedge which we're encouraged to keep in good order for our wildlife."

In 2025, the wildfire season saw nearly 48,000 hectares burned across the UK, seven times the annual average recorded between 2006 and 2024.

A spokesperson for the National Farming Union (NFU) said fires were one of the biggest risks faced by farmers during heatwaves.

They urged people "to take extreme caution during the hot weather" and avoid barbecues and bonfires on grass or moorland.

"The NFU is also urging people not to drop not to drop litter as discarded bottles can focus sunlight and start a fire," said the spokesperson.

Earlier, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service shared aerial images from Wiltshire Search and Rescue of the aftermath of the blaze.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Many people underestimate how quickly a bonfire can develop into a serious fire.

"We ask people to think carefully before lighting any bonfire and to consider safer alternatives for disposing of garden waste."

About 114 properties were without power after the incident, due to damage to overhead lines.

Crews from Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Frome, and Calne were involved with tackling the flames, which were extinguished in the early hours of 25 July.

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