Fireman in bare arms and T-shirts are standing in a landscape of scorched earth and shrubs burned out to leave stark, apocalyptic silhouettes.
But this was no film or TV report. This was Strensall Common in York this week as fire crews fought for hours to contain a wildfire that rapidly took hold at this popular nature reserve on Tuesday afternoon and early evening.
As The Press reported from the scene, the fire prompted a response from all three emergency services.
The blaze broke out on Strensall Common at 3.30pm on Tuesday. While the cause remains unknown, North Yorkshire Police confirmed to The Press that it was not being treated as suspicious.
Fire crews confirmed that the incident was under control by 1am on Wednesday.
The Press was at the scene and saw firefighters – and a water bowser – combat the blaze, while also moving the un-burnt patches of turf away from the fire with shovels.
Recommended reading:
- Huge fire at York nature reserve - latest from emergency crews
- Police update on 'deeply' saddening fire at York nature reserve
- LIVE: Fire at York nature reserve - people urged to avoid the area
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