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Mounted Police thank public for protecting stables

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageThames Valley Police Mounted Section A horse lying in a stable on sawdust. It has a white striped nose. The walls of the stable are black on the lower half and white on the upper half.Thames Valley Police Mounted Section
Thames Valley Police said Viktor slept much easier after the fire thanks to the efforts of local farmers and residents

Thames Valley Police has thanked farmers and residents for helping to prevent a field fire spreading to its stables.

The force's mounted section said it was faced with having to evacuate the entire yard at Lillingstone Lovell near Milton Keynes.

Locals arrived with their own machinery to help spray the fire and soak the paddocks, creating a vital fire break.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue said five crews, along with a wildfire unit from Buckingham, attended the incident at 11:43 BST on Monday.

News imageThames Valley Police Mounted Section A fire in a field. Flames and black smoke spread along the length of the field. In the foreground there is a hedgerow and a lane. There is a blue sky.Thames Valley Police Mounted Section
The fire spread rapidly in the direction of the paddocks

The fire spread rapidly, reaching the lane with just a few feet separating it from the paddocks, the force said.

"Some of the team worked tirelessly to tackle the fire before arrival of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.

"Others prepared the horses and horseboxes should an evacuation become necessary.

"Thanks to everyone's quick thinking and teamwork, along with the fantastic response from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was brought under control before it could spread any further."

The force thanked everyone who came to help, whether they brought equipment, offered their time or simply turned up ready to lend a hand.

News imageThames Valley Police Mounted Section A fire engine and a tractor in a field blackened by a fire. Two men are talking to each other in the foreground. There is a line of trees in the background.Thames Valley Police Mounted Section
Police said they were overwhelmed by the support from local farmers and residents

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