Two farmers working in fields in Devon found themselves having to call the fire service yesterday (Wednesday) as their machinery caught fire.

One of the fires needed more than 1,000 litres of water applied.

The first was a forest harvester that caught fire in a field in Crediton Hamlets.

The farmer called the fire service which responded by sending a fire engine and a water bowser from Danes Castle and a second fire engine from North Tawton at 4.21pm.

On arrival, firefighters found the machine well alight.

Wearing breathing apparatus they put the fire out with a compressed air foam jet.

They then dampened down the surrounding area with a 45mm jet to prevent the grassland catching fire.

A spokesperson for Danes Castle Fire Station explained that the CAFS foam was used to save water but that the water bowser followed closely behind for water supply - and just over 1000 litres of water was used at this incident.

Unfortunately the vehicle was destroyed in the fire. The cause is believed to have been accidental.

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Just over an hour later, at 5.33pm, a farmer called the fire service to report that his telehandler had caught fire in a cornfield in Chivelstone.

Two fire engines from Kingsbridge and Salcombe were mobilised, along with the water bowser from Plympton.

On arrival, firefighters tackled the fire wearing breathing apparatus using hose reel jets.

Fortunately, there was a water hydrant nearby, so the water bowser could return to base.

The telehandler was severely damaged in the fire, which is believed to have been accidental.

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