A lorry carrying a load of straw has been lost after the straw went up in flames while passing through the village of Newtowngore, Co Leitrim, on Thursday.
Paddy O’Rourke from nearby Carrigallen was driving the lorry of straw at the time and was amazed at how quickly the straw ignited into flames.
“The fire services were 100%, they were out to me within six or seven minutes from Ballinamore,” O’Rourke told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Unfortunately, when a load of straw takes light, there's not a lot can be done about it, but they prevented any further damage to adjoining properties. They took control of the situation and they were extremely professional and helpful.”
He also commended local man Paul McGerty and his team who run an agri and commercial repairs business for their help with swiftly removing the vehicle from blocking the busy R199 road.
“I suppose moving a load of straw like that in the intense heat, I don't know what the answer to it is, but you have to try and keep moving, keep the industry going, but this is very challenging weather,” he explained.
O’Rourke explained that, unfortunately, most years someone becomes the victim to one of these kinds of fires. However, he said that the fire services met the challenge gallantly.
The people in the house near where the lorry of straw went on fire were very worried until the fire brigade arrived, he said.
O’Rourke highlighted that if the fire brigade had been fighting an unnecessary wildfire elsewhere that was started as a result of carelessness of the public, it could have been a very different outcome.
“We certainly wouldn’t have them with us within six minutes,” he said.
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