Field fire shuts Wroxham Barns tourist attraction in Norfolk

A field fire at Tunstead, close to Wroxham Barns tourist attraction

A family tourist attraction was forced to shut and evacuate 600 people after wildfires broke out in nearby fields.

Wroxham Barns in Norfolk closed on Sunday while crews brought a crop fire under control. The site features a petting farm, camping and shops.

The Barns said no-one was on the campsite as it was changeover day, and it would open as normal on Monday.

General manager Ben Marshall said: "With the wind blowing towards us we couldn't afford to take any risks."

Mr Marshall said the fire, which broke out just after 14:00 BST, was about 100m (330ft) away, across the road from the main site.

The fire was contained in the field and put out by about 17:15, he said.

The fire as seen from outside the front entrance of Wroxham Barns

He said it was the second time the business had been affected by wild fires in less than a week.

On Tuesday, a blaze in the village of Ashmanhaugh led to the centre closing for a short time.

"We feel really sorry for the local community," Mr Marshall said.

'Challenges'

Crews also dealt with a field fire in the village of Stockton on Sunday, close to the A146 near Beccles.

Some 18 engines were called to another blaze, at Burgate, near Diss.

Alan Jaye of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "It was a very busy weekend.

"Friday and Saturday we were able to rest some of our crews.

"However, on Sunday from two o'clock, it really did start getting busy again and we did face a lot of challenges."

Several fires on the hottest day of the year on Tuesday, saw homes destroyed in the county, as the UK recorded its highest ever temperature of 40.3C (104.5F) in Lincolnshire.

Sunday saw temperatures reach 30C (86F) in parts of Norfolk.

Wroxham is one of the main boating centres for the Broads National Park