A party balloon that crashed into a power line has been blamed for a devastating fire that destroyed two homes and damaged a third during last month’s tinderbox conditions.
Seven fire engines and a water carrier responded to the scene when a fire broke out in a field in Kenninghall, Norfolk, before spreading to properties in a nearby Wood Close within minutes.
There were no serious injuries, although one resident went to hospital after being checked by paramedics.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service initially said the fire was accidental and appeared to be caused by a faulty power transformer in the field, causing sparks to fall on the dry ground.
But an independent investigation commissioned by UK Power Networks (UKPN) found the likely cause was a foil helium balloon blown into an overhead wire. A forensic examiner said debris was found on equipment attached to a pole.
Devastated healthcare worker Siobhan Fulcher, 54, has been left in temporary accommodation with her son Aaron and their four dogs after her home of 12 years was destroyed. She said she was “shocked and disappointed” by the investigator’s findings.
“If this can happen, perhaps these balloons should be banned,” she added.
The fire, which broke out in a field in Kenninghall, Norfolk, spread to nearby properties within minutes
A similar incident earlier this summer led to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue warning that people should never deliberately release foil balloons.
Firefighters were alerted to the fire in Norfolk at 2.30pm on August 9, as the country was in the midst of a heatwave causing widespread bushfires.
By the time it was extinguished about two hours later, the field was scorched and two bungalows were left as blackened husks. The third building escaped with minor damage.
Mrs Fulcher’s son, Aaron, described how he was eating a family meal when he heard a ‘banging and cracking noise’.
He climbed onto the roof of the garage to find out what was happening and watched helplessly as the ‘huge fire’ spread across the field. Within seconds he knew it was coming their way, and five minutes later he said there was fire and black smoke in the yard.
“My first instinct was to make sure everyone in the house was gone and also walk our four dogs,” he said. ‘It happened so quickly. We saw the fire and ten minutes later the house was flooded.’
The 33-year-old added: “It has destroyed our community, it has destroyed the lives of our neighbors, it has destroyed our lives.”
UKPN found that the likely cause of the fire was a foil helium balloon blown into an overhead wire. A forensic examiner said debris was found on equipment attached to a pole
Two bungalows were destroyed and a third property was damaged in the fire in August
Foil balloons are covered with a thin layer of metal that easily conducts electricity
Mark Matthews, who also lives nearby, was eating in his conservatory on Sunday when he saw smoke. At first he thought a neighbor was having a barbecue.
“Aaron came out and said, ‘Mark, the field is on fire’ and before we knew where we were, I was standing in the backyard and the fire was unbearable. It came through a hedge and that was the end of it.
‘It was unbelievable, unbearable. I’ve never been so scared in my life.’
The village hall was opened for affected residents.
UKPN, which maintains the electricity network in London, the south east and east of England, described the incident as ‘rare’.
A spokesperson said: ‘UK Power Networks were called to the site following a request from the fire brigade and the network was de-energized as a safety precaution due to the fire.
‘No errors or problems were found with our equipment.
‘An independent forensic investigator has determined that the most likely cause of the incident was a third party foil-coated helium balloon coming into contact with the overhead wires, causing an electrical arc which ignited the balloon and it fell to the field below in dry, windy conditions.’
Aaron Fulcher, 33, pictured with partner Sophie Carter, heard a ‘popping and cracking noise’. Minutes later, the house he shares with his mother, Siobhan, 54, was engulfed in flames.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service shared this photo of a field fire online in July, writing: ‘A single balloon. A field full of damage.’ It advised the public not to release foil party balloons
Foil balloons are covered with a thin layer of metal that easily conducts electricity. When someone touches an overhead power line, it creates a path where electricity can arc outside the usual conductive path, quickly igniting nearby flammable material.
National Grid posted photos online in July of a fire in Tithby, Nottinghamshire, caused by a festive balloon, writing: ‘A single balloon. A field full of damage.’ The incident resulted in 271 properties briefly losing power.
It describes how it caused sparks to rain down from a power line in a field, adding: ‘In dry conditions, near crops or farmland, that is enough to start a fire within seconds.
‘That’s why we ask everyone to think twice before releasing a balloon. One moment of celebration should not cost a farmer his field.’
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned that helium balloons should never be deliberately released as they can ’cause power outages and harm local wildlife and livestock’.
They should be drained before being carefully discarded, it added.
