Digger driver helps tackle 'dangerous' wildfire

A man who used a digger to help prevent a wildfire from spreading said adrenaline kept him going - but he would leave it to the professionals next time.

Danny Wadman said he received a call from a neighbour about smoke and flames from the fire heading towards his workplace at Inferno Groundworks, near Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, on 11 August.

To help stop the flames spreading, the 28-year-old from Newquay got in a digger to create a gap in vegetation and trees, known as a firebreak.

A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for repairs on the digger after the fire caused significant damage to the vehicle including, blowing its tyres out and its front bucket falling off.

Cornwall Fire Service said it was called out to a fire in the open near Mawgan Porth at about 16:00 BST.

A fire service spokesperson said crews from 12 stations tackled the flames at the site.

Crews across south-west England have dealt with hundreds of wildfires during the summer, with warnings issued to avoid starting fires on open land due to the dry conditions and the risk of flames spreading quickly.

Wadman said he could see the flames were heading towards where he was at work and decided to create a firebreak.

He said it got quite hot and dangerous as he got close to the flames.

"I think the adrenaline sort of overcomes any other thing at the time, to be totally honest," Wadman said.

He added the digger was "feeling a bit sorry for itself" after suffering damage during the incident, which he said was likely to write it off.

Wadman said the support being shown through an online fundraising page was "very overwhelming".

He also thanked firefighters who tackled the flames.

"Those guys are doing it day in, day out," Wadman said.

"I did it for a short amount of time and the adrenaline and emotion that I suppose these guys are facing along with the danger is just incredible.

"Next time, I'll leave it to the professionals, without a doubt."

Cornwall Fire Service has been asked for a comment on Wadman's action.

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