Aerial images show blackened fields after huge crop fire ravaged farmer's land during heatwave

Published: 14:10, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 14:11, 22 July 2026 Aerial images have revealed the devastating damage caused to a farmer's field after a huge crop fire tore through the land during the heatwave. More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze on Manor Farm in Hayling Island, Hampshire, which erupted at midday on Monday. Large plumes of smoke were spotted in the sky – prompting around 40 people to call 999. Stunning photos show two–thirds of one field blackened, while half of an adjacent field has also been damaged. Fire crews were dampening down the fire when an area reignited at around 5pm – forcing crews to return to the scene. Farmer Harry Walter, whose father Simon owns Manor Farm, said: 'You can't describe what it's like. There's no time to panic when you're in the field and there are flames of six to 10ft. 'All you could hear was the crackle of the barley and you couldn't see anyone with the fire and smoke. 'The wind can change and the fire can move very fast in seconds. Thankfully we had a good number of firefighters and volunteers. Farmers used their machinery and residents were using shovels and hosepipes. Stunning images show two–thirds of one field blackened – while half of an adjacent field has also been damaged More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze on Manor Farm in Hayling Island, Hampshire, which erupted at midday on Monday Large plumes of smokes were spotted in the sky – prompting around 40 people to call 999. Images show where the field has been scorched as well as the areas the fire didn't reach 'I'm not sure how it started. The field was being harvested and out of nowhere there was a fire in the middle of the field. We called the fire brigade and went out there to try and stop it spreading.' Mr Walter went on to say 'fires in this weather can spread very fast' - but praised the 'community element' and 'extra help' his family had received. But he said there would be 'a lot of money to recover' through his insurance firm. 'There's a financial loss for us', Mr Walter added. 'The crops for harvesting are our livelihood which we've lost for this year as they will not be able to go to market. 'We're very lucky no one was hurt and there was no real damage – there was only minor damage to a machine. We could have lost our combine harvester which was close to the fire and could have been destroyed. 'But there's no real long term permanent damage. Burning fields used to be allowed.' The fire was the second one to hit the family following another blaze last week at one of their other farms near Emsworth, believed to be caused by a cigarette. 'We lost an acre and a half. Everything is so dry at the moment. Anything hot that is thrown out of a car is enough to set a fire off', Mr Walter said. Fire crews were dampening down the fire when an area reignited at around 5pm – forcing crews to return to the scene The fire service said: 'Firefighters have continued to monitor the fire at Hayling Island, carrying out multiple inspections of the affected area. 'During checks on Monday evening, crews discovered several separate seats of fire, including one involving a large oak tree. Firefighters extinguished the hotspots to prevent further spread. 'Crews returned to the scene again on Tuesday morning to dampen down the oak tree's roots and the surrounding vegetation, ensuring there was no remaining risk of the fire spreading any further.' A spokesman added the cause of the fire is 'unknown'.