A major incident has been declared in South Yorkshire after a series of large fires broke out in unprecedented temperatures – and spread to nearby homes. Firefighters were called to incidents across South Yorkshire – amid unconfirmed reports that Doncaster had seen temperatures reach 40C. South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said their resources had to be prioritized based on risk levels. In Barnsley, houses on Woodland Avenue were engulfed in flames, with people taking shelter in a nearby school. Writing on Facebook, Sophie Wilson said: “Six houses burning now, praying everyone is ok.” Properties were also cleared in Lamprell Avenue and Stockwell Avenue, Kiveton Park, near Rotherham. The Rother Valley Labor Party Facebook page said: “Unfortunately homes have been lost in Kiveton, a very sad day.” A section of Sprotbrough Street, Doncaster, was closed, with reports of homes being evacuated. Smoke engulfed the road in Sprotbrough. Monisha Rockett, who drove through the area, posted a photo of a smoke-filled sky on Facebook and said: “It was just orange darkness driving through then. Ash was falling from the sky.” Kate-Elisia Mynett, writing on Facebook, said: “Our fence is gone, our next door neighbour’s shed is up and most of their garden, and our conservatory is starting to melt and there’s no power. “It’s been evacuated by the police… and the house full of smoke and rain ash in the front and back garden.” Fire at the Newton Arms pub in Sprotbrough, Doncaster. Credit: Newton Arms/Facebook A local pub, the Newton Arms, posted a photo of a fire near its beer hall. The pub said it had closed due to the danger. Local residents later helped put out the fire once the flames had subsided. Doncaster Council said a diversion will be in place, but in the meantime drivers are being advised to use the A638 York Road and A635 Barnsley Road, Blacksmiths Lane and Hangmanstone Lane. Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police said officers were assisting at the scene of the field fire on Haugh Street in the Rawmarsh area of Rotherham. Haugh Road and Cortworth Road are both closed at the junctions with Angel Lane and Hoober Lane. Other fires were reported in Maltby and Dinnington. Footage posted on social media also showed a fire in the village of Laughton en le Morthen, near Rotherham. South Yorkshire Police said: “Emergency services working across South Yorkshire have now declared a serious incident due to demand for services from fires across the county. “Fires are prioritized over risk to life and risk to property. All agencies are working closely to pool resources and minimize risk. “Please avoid calling 999 unless life is in danger.”
