A man who used a digger to help stop a wildfire from spreading said adrenaline kept him going, but he would leave it to the professionals next time.
Danny Wadman said he got a call from a neighbour about smoke and flames heading towards his workplace at Inferno Groundworks, near Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, on 11 August. The 28-year-old from Newquay got into a digger to create a gap in vegetation and trees, known as a firebreak.
A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for repairs on the digger after the fire caused significant damage, including blowing out its tyres and its front bucket falling off.
Cornwall Fire Service said it was called to a fire in the open near Mawgan Porth at about 16:00 BST. A spokesperson said crews from 12 stations tackled the flames.
Crews across south-west England have dealt with hundreds of wildfires during the summer, with warnings issued to avoid starting fires on open land due to dry conditions and the risk of flames spreading quickly.
Wadman said he could see the flames heading towards where he was working and decided to create a firebreak. He said it got quite hot and dangerous as he got close to the flames.
"I think the adrenaline sort of overcomes any other thing at the time, to be totally honest," he said.
He added the digger was "feeling a bit sorry for itself" after suffering damage, which he said was likely to write it off. Wadman said the support shown through the online fundraising page was "very overwhelming". He also thanked firefighters.
"Those guys are doing it day in, day out," he said. "I did it for a short amount of time and the adrenaline and emotion that I suppose these guys are facing along with the danger is just incredible. Next time, I'll leave it to the professionals, without a doubt."
Cornwall Fire Service has been asked for a comment on Wadman's action.
Charlotte Stacey, who set up the fundraiser for Wadman, said he worked "tremendously hard for everything he has".
More news stories for Cornwall
Listen to the latest news for Cornwall
Digger Operator Helps Curb Dangerous Wildfire