Fire crews have prevented a potentially large forestry fire taking hold after a machine burst into flames in Co Clare this afternoon.
The alarm was raised at around 4.00pm when it was reported that machinery was on fire in a forested area at Derrymore near Oatfield, Sixmilebridge.
Two units of the Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Shannon station responded to the incident. On arrival, fire crews found a timber forwarder machine ‘well alight’ about 500m into the forestry where tree harvesting was taking place.
Thick black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from a wide area around.
Firefighters had to run multiple lengths of hose through the forestry to reach the fire but were able to prevent the blaze spreading.
It’s believed the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault.