Approx 40 firefighters from around the Island fought to stop a blaze in a field on a farm from spreading to the nearby Needles Amusement Park, The Gazette can reveal.

Five pumping appliances were called shortly after 9.40pm on Thursday August 5 and spent an hour gaining control of the fire.

Fire crews tried to create a fire break between the flames and surrounding area around the park, after a discharged firework set fire to a corn field.

One witness who spoke to The Gazette said “We had just finished watching the firework display put on at Alum Bay amusement park.

“Then it looked like a smoldering firework set light to the field. The whole field just went up in flames, it was shocking seeing how quick and how big the fire got. Lots of fire engines started to turn up. The police turned up as well and were moving everyone on and asking them to stay back.”

A IW Fire spokesman said “The area 500meter by 150 meter, believed to be a corn field, has been destroyed by fire. Crews have managed to gain control of the fire and stop it spreading.” The spokesman went on to say that the fire was brought under control very quickly, but was not able to confirm how it started.