The scene in St Peter’s Valley yesterday Picture by David Ferguson (00778059)

FIREFIGHTERS spent four hours tackling a huge hillside fire that threatened to spread to two houses and the Battle of Flowers sheds yesterday.

Fifteen fire officers were called out at about 11.30 am after reports that a blaze was spreading rapidly in countryside in St Peter’s Valley.

Two fire engines and a water tanker were sent to the scene, while retained crews were called in to provide cover for the rest of the Island. The firefighters brought the blaze under control later in the afternoon and began damping down the fire at about 4.30 pm. It is believed that the fire covered an area of 100 square metres.

The Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘The first priority was to protect properties adjacent to Tesson Chapel along the road known as Meadowbank. Once this had been put into place, access was gained and an attack on the fire was made from the top of the hillside. The fire was brought under control using three jets.’