Firefighters tackle blaze in barley field made famous by Rihanna

Bangor, UK - Firefighters are battling a blaze in a barley field in County Down in Northern Ireland made famous by pop star Rihanna.

A barley field in Northern Ireland featured in Rihanna's music video for We Found Love has caught fire (stock image).
A barley field in Northern Ireland featured in Rihanna's music video for We Found Love has caught fire (stock image).  © 123RF/evdoha

Three fire appliances were deployed to the field just outside Bangor, with firefighters seen dousing flames across a wide area.

The view across the field dominated by an old tree was made famous in 2011 in the 34-year-old’s music video for her hit We Found Love featuring Calvin Harris.

The filming of the music video made global headlines at the time after the farmer who owned the field told the pop superstar to cover up her skimpy outfit.

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Alan Graham, former councillor of the Democratic Unionist Party, said at the time he did not "believe young ladies should have to take their clothes off to entertain."

But he said he had not halted the filming, adding that Rihanna had been "very gracious and respectful" when they spoke, and they had "parted company on good terms."

Graham had also admitted at the time that he did not know who the multi-award-winning singer was when he got asked for the use of his field for the video.

The music video also included scenes shot in north Belfast as well as in the more rural setting on the road from Northern Ireland’s capital city to Bangor.

Firefighters respond to the call for help

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said they received a call for assistance at 3:50 PM on Wednesday.

A spokesperson said three fire trucks attended, two from Bangor fire station and one from nearby Holywood fire station.

They said the incident in the large barley field remains ongoing.

On Wednesday evening, police issued a warning to drivers planning to travel along the Belfast Road between the Ballyrobert Road and Craigantlet Road junctions.

A police spokesperson described visibility as poor and urged drivers to seek an alternative route.

Cover photo: 123RF/evdoha

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