Farmer builds DIY fire truck amid heatwave harvest fears

A Danish farmer has equipped a tractor and trailer with 1,000 litres of water, powder extinguishers and fire beaters to guard against field fires during the ongoing heatwave, DR reports.

Søren Højer Thomsen, who farms near Vejle, assembled the improvised fire unit with help from a neighbour who is a firefighter. The setup uses equipment he already owned.

“It’s ready so we can respond if something happens,” Thomsen said. “When I bring it along, I know I’ve done what I can.”

He acknowledges the gear cannot tackle large blazes but says it has already proven useful, including cooling a building and containing a wildfire.

Thomas Dietz, director of Vejle Fire Services, praised the initiative, noting that early intervention can limit damage to machinery and crops before professional crews arrive.