A ‘miraculous’ field mouse has survived a raging wildfire after being rescued by eagle-eyed firefighters.
Fire crews were called to Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire, on Thursday, August 13, after a blaze broke out shortly after 3pm.
While putting out the flames, a long-tailed field mouse was spotted, darting in and out of smouldering hedge rows by firefighters.
After finally catching the singed animal, the firefighters from Towcester station gave it water before releasing it near a family of mice.
The fire is believed to have been caused by sunlight reflecting on broken glass, with the rays hitting dry grass.
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A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Whilst we were attending some trees and hedgerows involved in fire, a member of our crew spotted this miraculous little field mouse scurrying amongst the smouldering undergrowth.
‘After some searching, we located a family of mice in the hedgerow and were able to relocate them to a safe place.
‘After being checked over, it’s safe to say this mouse was grateful for a drink of some of our water before running off to rejoin his friends.’
The force reiterated advice from the government not to light fires in the open during the heatwave, due to the incredibly dry conditions.
On Friday, people across England and Wales received a notification, warning against lighting anything that could spark a wildfire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged the public to ‘take the emergency alert seriously’.
‘Fires spread easily, and the damage to property and our precious local wildlife can be devastating,’ they added.
A statement from the force said: ‘Firefighters from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a grass verge and hedgerow fire at Walton Grounds, Kings Sutton, in support of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 3.10pm on Thursday, August 13.
‘Firefighters extinguished the fire using hose reel jets and beaters. Crews from Towcester then used thermal imaging cameras to identify and damp down any remaining hotspots before leaving just before 4.30pm.
‘The fire is believed to have started accidentally as a result of sunlight reflecting off broken glass in the hedgerow.
‘Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding the public to dispose of glass bottles and other litter responsibly, particularly during periods of hot and dry weather, as they can pose a fire risk.’
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