CRICKETERS were forced to extinguish a fire which emerged midway through a match.
Shinfield Cricket Club’s first team were taking on Penn & Tylers when players from both sides noticed flames in the woods surrounding the Millworth Lane ground.
Using water containers and the club’s fire extinguisher, they were able to handle the situation without calling the fire brigade.
Shashank Garg, the club’s secretary, was present and said: “There were some kids who put the root of a tree on fire, they then ran away.
“It must have been going on for around 15-20 minutes before we noticed the smoke, at which point all 22 players poured water on it and used the fire extinguisher from our pavilion. The flames were comfortably a foot high.
“We were able to put it out without calling the fire brigade, but had it been left for another 15-20 minutes, the whole woodland could have been in flames. It would have been a real emergency.”
According to Mr Garg, children from the surrounding area tend to congregate in the woods where there is shade, often ‘smoking pot’.
He said his teammates assumed this was what they were doing in the woods, believing they ran away ‘because they were high’.
The club secretary said the club has been the victim of anti-social behaviour such as this in the past, with their sidescreen getting broken and their square run through.
“We are trying our best, and so is the council, but it is an ongoing issue,” Mr Garg explained.
“The police usually patrol the area, but cordening it off is difficult. I don’t want to be too critical, but we aren’t doing a lot to stop this from happening. Extra patrolling, fencing and CCTV are needed.
“Long-term, the council needs to provide these people with places to go.”
This summer’s record-high temperatures have led to increased numbers of wildfires.
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has published the following guidance:
- Do not dispose of cigarettes on the ground, and always ensure that they have been extinguished before throwing them away.
- Avoid lighting open fires in the countryside.
- Glass, and other reflective materials, can start fires if left in direct sunlight. To avoid this, ensure that these items are disposed of carefully and are not left in the sun.
- Call 999 if you encounter a wildfire, noting the location of the fire and meeting them at a designated safe-point. Do not attempt to tackle the blaze yourself.
For more information, visit: www.rbfrs.co.uk
