05 Jul 2023
Popular community music event the M Festival went ahead successfully despite a fire causing an evacuation of the site for more than two and a half hours.
More than 500 people were already on the field at Marlborough Science Academy when a blaze broke out in the Real Belgium Fries van at 1.23pm, forcing the swift evacuation of the site.
A fire engine from St Albans was on the scene within five minutes to deal with the growing inferno, including dousing the nearby school and ensuring three gas cylinders inside the van did not overheat and explode.
These were cooled in recycling bins full of water and moved off site. The van owner was shocked by what happened but nobody was hurt in the incident and the organisers and volunteers were praised for managing the incident successfully.
Despite concerns the festival might not be able to go ahead, less than an hour after the fire started it was agreed that the event could carry on following final health and safety checks, preventing losses of around £50,000 if it had been cancelled.
The updated line-up was confirmed by 2:25pm online with everyone still getting to play on the main stage including school acts albeit with a slightly reduced set. The gates reopened at 3.45pm and by 4pm the field was busy with around 2,300 people enjoying live music starting just two hours behind schedule!
The M Festival has been held at Marlborough School since 2009 and over the years has seen over 20,000 people attend and raised more than £120,000 for the school.
This year was the final festival for the original team who devised and set it up nearly 15 years ago. Oliver Warrack, Carol Bush, Richard and Jane Sullivan were presented with Champagne and flowers as a thank you for all the hard work and time they have dedicated to organising the festival over the years.
While they move on, others are ready to step into their shoes and are already planning next year’s M Festival on July 6 2024 – hopefully with less dramatic events next time!
All photos by Michael Lyons Photography.
