Foil helium party balloon that touched power line sparked heatwave field fire that tore through a village and destroyed 2 homes

A party balloon that drifted into a power line has been blamed for a devastating blaze which destroyed two houses and damaged a third during last month’s tinderbox conditions.Seven fire engines and a water carrier travelled to the scene when a fire broke out in a field in Kenninghall, Norfolk, before spreading within minutes to the properties in a nearby Wood Close.There were no serious injuries, although one resident made their own way to hospital after being checked by paramedics.Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service initially said that the fire was accidental and appeared to have been caused by a faulty power transformer in the field, which caused 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 that had blown into an overhead line. A forensic investigator said debris had been 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’ at 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 within minutes to properties in a nearby closeA similar incident earlier in the summer led to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue warning that people should never intentionally release foil balloons.Firefighters were alerted to the blaze in Norfolk at 2.30pm on August 9, when the country was in the midst of the heatwave that was causing widespread wildfires.By the time it was extinguished about two hours later, the field was scorched and two bungalows were left as blackened husks. The third property escaped with minor damage.Mrs Fulcher's son Aaron described how he had been having a family meal when he heard a 'bang and cracking sound'.He climbed on to the garage roof to find out what was happening and watched helplessly as the 'huge fire' spread across the field. Within seconds he knew it was heading their way, and said there was fire and black smoke in the garden just five minutes later.‘My first instinct was to make sure everyone in the house was out and to get our four dogs out as well,’ he said. ‘It happened so quickly. We saw the fire and then ten minutes later the house was engulfed.’The 33-year-old added: ‘It’s destroyed our community, it’s destroyed our neighbours' lives, it’s destroyed our lives.’ UKPN found the likely cause of the fire was a foil helium balloon that had blown into an overhead line. A forensic investigator said debris was found on equipment attached to a pole Two bungalows were destroyed and a third property damaged in the August blaze Foil balloons are covered in a thin layer of metal that conducts electricity easilyMark Matthews, who also lives in the close, was having Sunday dinner in his conservatory when he spotted smoke - first thinking a neighbour was having a barbecue.‘Aaron came outside and said “Mark, the field is on fire” and before we knew where we were, I was in the back garden 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 frightened in my life.’The village hall was opened for affected residents.UKPN, which maintains the electricity network across London, the South East and the East of England, described the incident as ‘rare’.A spokesman said: ‘UK Power Networks was called to the site following a request from the fire service and the network was de-energised as a safety precaution due to the fire.‘No faults or issues have been found with our equipment.‘An independent forensic investigator identified that the most likely cause of the incident was that a third-party foil-coated helium balloon came into contact with the overhead line, causing an electrical arc which ignited the balloon and fell to the field below in dry, windy conditions.’ Aaron Fulcher, 33, pictured with partner Sophie Carter, heard a 'bang and cracking sound'. 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 of damage.' It advised the public not to release foil party balloonsFoil balloons are covered in a thin layer of metal that conducts electricity easily. If one touches an overhead power line, it creates a path for electricity to arc outside of its usual conductive pathway and can quickly set fire to nearby flammable material.National Grid posted photos online in July of a fire in Tithby, Nottinghamshire, that was caused by a party balloon, stating: ‘A single balloon. A field of damage.’ The incident led to 271 properties briefly losing power.Describing how it caused sparks to shower down from a power cable in a field, it added: ‘In dry conditions, near crops or farmland, that’s enough to start a fire within seconds.‘That is why we’re asking everyone to think twice before releasing a balloon. A moment’s celebration shouldn’t cost a farmer their field.’Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning that helium balloons should never intentionally be released as they can ‘cause power outages and harm local wildlife and livestock’.They should be deflated before being carefully thrown away, it added.