A huge moorland fire near Priddy which sparked a 10-pump emergency response is not believed to have been started deliberately, the fire service has said.

Crews from across Somerset and beyond were sent to the blaze on Friday, 20 March 2026, after the incident was first reported at 5.47pm as a make pumps six call for a fire in the open in the Priddy area. As the scale of the fire became clear, the response was stepped up, with engines and specialist support drafted in from across the county and neighbouring areas.

The fire was listed as a large outdoor incident in the Chewton Mendip area. Stations attending included Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Castle Cary, Cheddar, Martock, Bridgwater, Wincanton, Honiton and Clyst St George.

For local crews it was a long and demanding operation, with firefighters only returning after tackling the blaze deep into the night.

The fire service has now said it has not been able to determine the exact cause of the blaze, but does not believe it was started deliberately.

That means the cause remains unconfirmed, but there is currently no suggestion the fire was the result of deliberate ignition.

Large outdoor fires can spread quickly across dry countryside, putting pressure on emergency cover and tying up appliances that may be needed elsewhere. Fire chiefs have continued to urge people visiting rural areas to avoid barbecues, open flames and discarded cigarettes.

Anyone who spots a fire in the countryside is being reminded to call 999 immediately, get to a place of safety and give the clearest possible location.

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For more local coverage, read [Somerset Levels dredging gets £775,000 boost] and [Wells Party at the Palace to bring East 17 to city].

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