Fire service declares major incident over call-outs

14 minutes ago

Mariam IssimdarNorfolk

Thick smoke rises over Norwich as a fire blazes on Mousehold Heath

Smoke can be seen billowing across Norwich in the latest of a series of blazes which forced the county's fire service to declare a major incident.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said crews were attending 16 live emergencies on Thursday afternoon including an "open" fire at Mousehold Heath, off Gurney Road in the city.

The major incident kicked in at 15:15 as firefighters also tackled a blaze at a school in Shipdham, Thetford.

"We are still available to attend emergencies but will prioritise life risk and property. We ask that the public only call 999 for genuine emergencies," it added.

News image — Smoke billows after a fire takes hold of Mousehold Heath in Norwich

Rachel Morgan/Mousehold Garden Centre Black and orange smoke billow from behind tall trees which are in front of a petrol station with cars moving on the forecourt. — Smoke billows after a fire takes hold of Mousehold Heath in Norwich

Norfolk Police closed off Mousehold Lane and Gurney Road in Norwich to allow fire crews to deal with the heath fire and drivers have been asked to avoid the area.

Ten officers have been involved in putting out the blaze at the Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham, Thetford, Norfolk, where three classrooms have been damaged.

No children are thought to be attending the site, which is shut for the summer holidays.

The fire service has advised residents nearby to keep doors and windows shut if they are affected by a smoke plume from the fire.

Jamie Niblock/BBC A fire officer is half-way up a ladder leant against a one-storey building wall and roof. Another officer is on the ground looking towards the person on the ladder. Some double doors are open and there is shrubbery and a tree in the front of the building. — Officers were called out to tackle a blaze at a primary school in Shipdham

The emergency service explained current operational activity across Norfolk was placing "significant pressure on our resources".

It continued: "Response times to non-life risk incidents may be delayed as we prioritise our limited remaining available resources."

The service urged the public to help it protect the county by not lighting bonfires, campfires, or use disposable barbecues, and to refrain from discarding rubbish or cigarettes.

"All of these actions increase the risk of fires in the open as we have seen in recent weeks," the fire service said.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Fire officer stands next to a fire engine outside Thomas Bullock Primary Academy. — Fire crews have been stretched to the limit, says Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

In July the fire service said it mobilised crews 2,730 times to attend 1,270 emergencies across the county, including to act as "standby" at other fire stations to ensure cover was maintained and to provide rolling cover at larger incidents.

"This was 768 more times [crews were mobilised] than in July 2025," the service added.