Updated: 10:25 am July 20, 2022 Shocking video shows the moment gardens and homes were engulfed in flames as scorching temperatures wreaked havoc on a Norfolk village. Crews were initially called to the blaze in a field behind The Oaks in Ashill, near Watton, at around 5pm on Tuesday (July 19). Around 15 appliances were sent to the scene but the fire quickly spread to The Green in the center of the village. Some families had to evacuate as several houses caught fire. William Gentry, owner of Spitfire Aerial Photography, said he first spotted the smoke from his home in Wymondham. After driving to the source, his drone footage captured the incident as it unfolded, and he was able to alert fire crews to homes at risk. Fire crews are battling the blaze in Ashill. – Credit: conranphotography.net Mr Gentry said: “It was shocking and it was very scary. It’s heartbreaking for the village “Probably half a dozen homes have been lost and maybe 20 homes have been severely damaged. “Later, I helped give water to the firefighters and to the community centers where the evacuees were taken. They were devastated, it was awful.” Crews from across Norfolk were called to help tackle the blaze, including Wymondham, Dereham, Long Stratton, Diss, King’s Lynn, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Hethersett, Hingham, Attleborough, North Walsham, Sheringham, Watton, Earlham and Methwold. Houses are currently burning in Ashill. – Credit: conranphotography.net On Wednesday morning (July 20), an aerial ladder platform and a support pump remained at the wet site. A spokesman for the fire service said that some houses were lost, while confirmation of the total number was not yet known.
