July 2009 Archives

Flames up to 40ft high threatened a two-storey block of flats and about 20 houses as they swept across a field of wheat on Saturday evening.

High winds whipped the blaze into an inferno which destroyed 12 acres of wheat and put the lives of firefighters and residents in Chertsey Lane and Bowes Road in jeopardy.

The fire, which police believe was started deliberately, was spotted on the border of Egham and Staines by firefighters from Egham just before 8.30pm as they were making their way back to the station from a previous call-out.

Firefighter Matt Wilkins, of Red Watch, Egham, said: "As we began to tackle the blaze the wind suddenly got behind it and we had to relocate ourselves quickly to get in front. The flames swept across the field in less than 10 minutes and destroyed five hectares.

"Luckily, as we were fighting to keep it back from the houses, the wind changed direction at the last minute and the fire stopped about 20 yards short."

Staines watch manager Karl Bowen added: "It was difficult for firefighters to keep up because the wind was blowing the fire faster than we could put it out."

Residents of Cornwall Way have told the Herald & News they were also at risk when the fire first started and had to clear their vehicles from a car park near the field.
Are you a Cornwall Way resident? Did you feel your home was at risk from the fire?
Tell us your comments on the fire below.

• Free summer play sessions
• Teen Tennis Lessons
• Mosaic Workshop
• Clay pigeon shooting
• Pendle Slot Racing
• Llama open day
• Mercedes Benz World

An unexpected and colourful visitor to a Thorpe couple's birdfeeder was a bright alternative to the average starling.

This stunning golden mantle rosella first appeared in the back garden of bird lovers Kim Fletcher and Clive Anderson at their home in Burway Crescent, Laleham Reach in June, but had returned several times since.

Ms Fletcher said they regularly had green parakeets and other birds visiting, but this was a visitor completely out of the blue.

She explained: "Clive was working at his computer when he heard an unusual bird call, he knew it was different as we are avid bird lovers and have several feeders in the back garden, visited daily by hoards of birds and a few hungry squirrels.

Burglars gained entry to three flats in Staines last Tuesday July 14 during broad daylight.

Surrey Police are appealing for witnesses after three flats were targeted between 11am and 2pm in the Moormead Estate and Kingston and London Road areas.

Thames Valley Horticultural Society are holding a lecture on growing plants on Thursday July 30.

The meeting will be held at Christ Church Hall, in Kenilworth Gardens, and the speaker will be L Stebbings who will talk about house plants and their care.

Admission for non-members is £1, and for more information call 01784 452422.

A man who turned 'disturbingly white' was taken to hospital on Thursday July 9.

The 45-year-old man almost collapsed at the junction of London Road and Fairfield Avenue in Staines at around 1.20pm.