Birch Hill bonfire

Photo: Jan Harwood

The bonfire at Birch Hill, taken from around 100 yards away.

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The fire brigade have received numerous reports of a large fire at Birch Hill this evening (Wednesday 5 November).

The fire could be seen for miles and at one point flames reached a staggering 40 feet high, however, despite the fact that it appears from across town as though one of the derelict buildings at the hospital site has caught flame, the blaze is in fact a controlled bonfire.

At least three fire units have been on the scene through the course of the evening in response to reports from local residents but they are happy that the large fire is under control and that the bonfire is fully supervised by adults.

One of the firemen at the scene said: "Although it is a very large fire it is probably safer than some of the unorganised fires that we have already had to deal with tonight. We have fully inspected the fire and we are happy for it to continue as long as it remains supervised."