Narrow escape at Plumpton after overnight fire near Sussex track

Plumpton has stressed that the racecourse is unaffected after emergency services were called to attend to a fire at the Sussex venue in the early hours of Monday morning.

Crews from Brighton, Barcombe and Lewes were called at 11.42pm on Sunday evening and with the assistance of East Sussex Fire and Rescue service, attended the scene following reports of a vehicle fire.

The fire broke out at the Hills Driver Training Yard, a driver training facility positioned to the rear of the jumps venue which houses a number of vehicles including lorries, fork lift trucks, buses, and cars. The fire affected two cars, one bus, three HGV's and a portacabin.

The cause was deemed accidental after an investigation took place with officers leaving the scene at 3.04am on Monday morning.

Despite the close proximity of the fire, remarkably no damage was done to the racecourse.

“We are unaffected,” said the track’s chief executive Daniel Thompson on Monday morning. “There’s a small compound with a few vehicles in it and it was isolated to just there. It didn’t actually touch any of the racecourse itself or any buildings.

“I’ve had to send out a few emails to the board, staff and suppliers this morning because you do see some scaremongering.

“I was here last night and it certainly remained within the compound. The fire service were pretty good, there’s no cordon or anything this morning so it’s all deemed accidental.”

Plumpton's next meeting is on September 18, with the track undergoing minor renovation and maintenance during a four-month break since its last meeting.

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