Fire in Devizes: Two separate blazes send smoke plumes over town
No casualties have been reported at either fire.Crews from Trowbridge, Ludgershall, Calne and Corsham were called to the house fire with crews from Marlborough and Malmesbury sent to the shed fire.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Rail services in parts of England are cut as tracks are disturbed by lack of moisture
Rail services in parts of southern England are being reduced because embankments have shrunk and disturbed the track after the sunniest spring in more than a century. Trains are unable to travel at full speed over embankments in Dorset and Devon that have contracted because of a lack of moisture in the soil. In the latest example of extreme weather affecting the UK's rail infrastructure, South Western Railway said it had no alternative but to reduce the number of trains running for a safe and reliable service. Journeys from London Waterloo to Exeter will take an hour longer, with trains running at 40mph instead of 85mph for sections of the route. This year has seen the second driest spring on record for England, with the least amount of rainfall since 1976. The lack of moisture has caused embankments to shrink on a 12-mile stretch of track between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon. The speed restrictions on the single-track route means trains cannot pass at the usual times and places, and SWR said it had been forced to cut services from the schedule. The operator warned that dry conditions were likely to continue and that further speed restrictions could be needed. SWR's chief operating officer, Stuart Meek, said: 'We are very sorry for the disruption that customers will experience due to this change, as we know just how important the West of England line is to the communities it serves. 'We have not taken this decision lightly … However, to continue operating a safe and reliable service, we have no alternative but to introduce a reduced timetable. Network Rail's operations director, Tom Desmond, said: 'The safety of our customers is our number one priority, which is why we must impose these speed restrictions. We will regularly review conditions in order to restore the normal timetable as soon as possible.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The changing climate has caused a number of problems for the railway in recent years, including the need to impose speed restrictions in extreme summer heat for fear of buckling rails. Train services were meanwhile cut back in Kent last year after the wettest winters on record also affected tracks and embankments. Network Rail is spending almost £3bn over the period 2024-29 to tackle the effects of climate change, having already increased its budget to maintain earthworks in the wake of the Stonehaven disaster, when heavy rain and poor drainage led to a landslip.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Gifford Fire destroys 65,000 acres as high wind warnings raise fears California blaze could grow
A fast-moving wildfire tore through more than 65,000 acres in south-central California over the weekend, injuring three people, threatening hundreds of structures, and prompting widespread evacuation orders. Fueled by hot, dry conditions and gusty winds, the wildfire has been burning through parts of Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since Friday. By Monday morning, it had grown by 15,000 acres, according to fire officials. The fire, which is burning in a rural, agricultural region of the forest, was just three percent contained as of this morning, according to Los Padres Forest Service officials. The fire began as a series of smaller blazes along Highway 166, officials said. The route is known for roadside fires caused by passing cars — but the cause of the fire remains under investigation. At least three people have been injured, officials said. One person suffered serious burns and was taken to a hospital in Santa Maria, while two contractors were hospitalized after their vehicle rolled over. Hundreds of residents have been ordered to evacuate as approximately 460 structures remain under threat. More than 1,000 personnel, including 50 fire engines and aircraft, are working to contain the blaze. The National Weather Service has issued high wind warnings, with gusts of 15 to 25 miles per hour expected through Monday, raising fears that the fire could grow. Officials say the flames could move east into areas recently charred by the Madre Fire, which burned more than 80,000 acres before being fully contained just last week.
BreakingNews.ie
8 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Thousands without power as Storm Floris weather warnings take effect
Around 8,000 homes and businesses are without power on Monday morning. Storm Floris made landfall overnight, bringing damaging gusts and localised flooding to some parts. Advertisement ESB crews are working to restore electricity faults, with Galway, Clare, Mayo and Donegal among the worst-affected counties. Weather warnings are in place for eight counties as Storm Floris hits the country overnight. Met Éireann has warned of dangerous travelling conditions, power outages, and structural damage. A status yellow wind warning is in place for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, and Monaghan since 4am until 4pm. There is also a yellow wind warning for Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, which will last until 1pm. Met Éireann has warned this could lead to fallen trees, debris and loose objects, dangerous travelling conditions and power outages. A yellow rain warning is also in place for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo until 10am on Monday. Met Éireann warned this could cause localised flooding and lightning damage.
