Cricket players from Whittlesey Cricket Club paused their match on Sunday to help tackle a wildfire that was encroaching on a nearby home. The blaze, on a field off Aliwal Road, Whittlesey, prompted firefighters to be called at approximately 16:30 BST.
Andrew Ward, 38, and teammates David Drage, 59, Andrew Phillips, 42, and Brian Warwick, 48, ran towards the house to alert residents and assist. Ward stated their instinct was to ensure the people in the house were safe and to try and save the property.
The cricketers helped remove fence panels and used a hose to soak the area around the house, remaining to assist firefighters. The match against Werrington Cricket Club was paused for about 90 minutes, after which Whittlesey Cricket Club reportedly went on to win.
Cambridgeshire Police are investigating the incident as a suspected arson attack, with an investigation ongoing and no arrests made. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews from six fire stations and a volunteer crew attended.