A huge fire swept across drought-parched farmland and came within a quarter of a mile of Brighstone on 21st August 1976.
The Isle of Wight was baking under the relentless heat of the Great Drought of 1976 when a major fire broke out near Brighstone and rapidly spread across the countryside.
With fields and hedgerows tinder dry after weeks without meaningful rain, the blaze tore through stubble fields, fences and standing straw, eventually destroying around 30 acres of farmland.
As thick smoke billowed across the West Wight landscape, fears grew that the flames could spread towards Brighstone itself. The fire came within a quarter of a mile of the village, raising concerns for its many thatched cottages.
One local farmer warned:
“It could have been disastrous if the wind had been blowing the other way.”
Firefighters battled to prevent the blaze spreading further as the drought created ideal conditions for fire. Part of a large field of unbaled straw caught alight, while hedges and fencing were left blackened in the fire’s wake.
The Brighstone blaze was only one of a number of incidents keeping crews busy during the exceptionally dry summer. Firefighters were called to several other fires across the Island, including hedge fires in other areas and outbreaks that threatened hedges close to both the Isle of Wight County Infirmary and the maternity unit at St Mary’s Hospital.
Fortunately for Brighstone, the wind remained favourable and firefighters succeeded in containing the blaze before it could threaten homes.
Do you remember the drought summer of 1976, the restrictions, the scorched countryside or the fires that broke out across the Island? Share your memories in the comments below…
