NINETEEN horses were saved from a potentially devastating fire when Princes Risborough's new top of the range fire engine was called into action.

Firefighters were alerted on July 5 to the rear of Park Mill Farm, Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough.

A large muck heap had caught fire at 4.30pm and the wind was fanning the flames to nearby stables, housing 19 horses.

The fire crew were met with dense smoke and Station Officer Mick Evans said the stiff wind had leaped the single track road, threatening the adjacent stable block, with flames actually licking over the stables.

He said: "The stable staff's courageous efforts in difficult conditions, with some assistance from ourselves, quickly evacuated a total of 19 horses from the affected individual stables."

The crew was able to bring the fire quickly under control, saving the stables and Station Officer Evans said this was down to a new appliance, which the fire station had just received.

He said: "It has all the equipment a conventional fire appliance would carry, plus remote lighting for night use, a larger seven-person cab but most importantly, 9,000 litres of water, which is five times more than other appliances."

Station Officer Evans added: "As an officer-in-charge, having these resources to hand in a rural area, enabled my initial attack of four jets much easier, safer and more effective.

"It certainly helped to prevent a potential disaster, for which the occupiers were very grateful."