Emergency crews battled a massive crop fire in fields near Knebworth this afternoon (July 19).

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The fire near Knebworth. Picture: SmartapixThe fire near Knebworth. Picture: Smartapix (Image: Archant)

A fire service spokesman said there is an “area of stubble approximately 100m by 100m, well alight” off Stevenage Road.

Five fire engines attended – two from Stevenage, and one from Welwyn, Hitchin and Letchworth – along with police officers.

A witness said at 1.55pm that it was “just smouldering now – a large area is scorched, there are several appliances scattered at strategic points dampening the surrounding area”.

The fire service spokesman said the blaze spread to the nearby railway embankment, but was eventually contained and extinguished by 2.43pm.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The fire near Knebworth. Picture: SmartapixThe fire near Knebworth. Picture: Smartapix (Image: Archant)

He added it was listed as accidental.