Fifty rolls of Astroturf caught fire at a village football ground last night, creating huge plumes of black smoke. 

Panicked 999 calls were made at around 8.20pm on Wednesday night after stacks of turf at Chalfont St Peter AFC's ground at Mill Meadow, Gravel Hill, caught fire. 

By the time fire crews from Gerrards Cross, Amersham and Beaconsfield got there, a fence near the piles of turf was also alight and a large section of it was destroyed. 

The blaze caused "awful smoke" across the village, but the community was praised for doing what they could to help the situation. 

 

On Twitter, Chalfont Mutterings wrote: "Scouts and their leaders were great, neighbours leapt into action to limit the damage, the fire department were super quick. 

"Folks on the A413 were considerate and kept the entrance clear. And no one hurt. Thank God." 

Cllr Isobel Darby also praised the "brilliant work" by the fire crews to bring the blaze under control. 

Chalfont St Peter AFC urged anyone with information on the incident to contact Thames Valley Police. 

Bucks Fire and Rescue said: "Three appliances and crew from Gerrards Cross, Amersham and Beaconsfield attended.

"Fifty rolls of Astroturf and adjacent fence was on fire at the time of arrival.

"The firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the fire."