Emergency services were called to a significant field fire near the village of Coneyhurst on Saturday afternoon, 5 September 2026. The blaze, which broke out in a field off West Chiltington Lane, prompted a major response from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews were alerted to the incident at approximately 3:40 PM. As the fire spread through the vegetation south-east of Billingshurst, the fire service issued a public appeal for residents in the immediate vicinity to keep their windows and doors closed due to the volume of smoke produced.
Aerial images from the scene showed a large expanse of scorched, blackened ground across the field. At the height of the fire, at least one tree on the edge of the perimeter was also seen to be alight.
According to The Argus, the emergency response was scaled down shortly after 6:00 PM as the fire was brought under control and crews began to leave the scene. A number of firefighters remained on-site into the evening to damp down the area and monitor for any remaining hotspots that could lead to reignition.
Current Status and Safety
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been disclosed, and it is currently unknown whether the fire was started accidentally or deliberately.