Farmer's extinguisher tip after tractor fires

6:50pm Sunday 16th November 2008

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A CURRY Mallet farmer who had fires in two tractors has been recruited by an insurance company to advise farmers to install fire extinguishers.

John Down, of Park Farm, fitted extinguishers in his fleet after losing a tractor in a blaze.

When a second vehicle caught fire this summer, his son, James, was quickly able to put it out.

Mr Down’s story will now be told to thousands of farmers across the South-West through Cornish Mutual’s member newsletter.

The insurer’s development manager Chris Ridgers comments: “Fire extinguishers are an important, common-sense measure for all vulnerable pieces of farm machinery.”

Mr Down said: “Before the first fire, I pooh-poohed fire extinguishers as an extra expense, but now I wouldn’t be without them - for ten or fifteen quid, they can save a lot of time and hassle.”