When Katherine Hollingworth woke up around 4am on Thursday (July 16), she at first thought she heard the sound of rain outside.
But as she looked outside her window she was shocked to find the noise was actually caused by flames spreading across trees.
She rushed to notify her neighbours and soon fire crews were called to the blaze affecting trees and hedges by the Holmebrook Valley Trial footpath between Ashgate Valley Road and Brockwell Nursery and Infant School.
Four houses were evacuated in connection with the incident.
Katherine, who is also a councillor for Brockwell, said: "It was unbelievable.
"I heard the sound and I thought it was raining but it was a fire.
“There are some massive trees by the footpath, a huge chestnut and Sycamore – and the fire was leaping in the trees.
"It was spreading very quickly.
"There was a milkman doing his round. He helped to wake people up. He was brilliant.
"Residents helped to wake everyone up. It was a real community effort.
"Luckily some houses were empty because people were away.
"Five fire crews from Clay Cross and Dronfield came very quickly.
"They evacuated four houses and damped everything down by 5.45am.
"Firefighters were amazing, they said they just came back from another fire at 1 or 2am.
"If it wasn’t for them, the fire would have spread to the houses without a shade of doubt.”
The blaze caused significant damage, reportedly destroying hedges around three houses, some mature trees, a couple of sheds and one outbuilding.
The Holmebrook Valley Trial footpath has been left partially blocked by debris and Chesterfield Borough Council has deployed a team to clear the footpath.
Katherine added: “The damage is quite extensive.
"The footpath is very popular and I can see people taking pictures of the damage to the trees all the time.
"Chesterfield Borough Council had to put some fences in because some of the houses are backing into the footpath.
"We don’t know what caused the fire but it shows people need to be careful in this weather because it so easy for fires to start and spread.”
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) is currently dealing with a wildfire at Tintwistle Moor as well as increased number of incidents in recent days due to prolonged hot and dry weather spell.
The DFRS has issued the following advice to local residents and visitors: “Help protect our outdoor spaces from the risk of fire and keep everyone safe: take your litter home, extinguish cigarettes responsibly, no disposable BBQs or campfires.”
DFRS has been approached for a comment on Ashgate Valley Road fire.
5. Houses evacuated as fire crews called to early morning fire in Chesterfield
Some mature trees were affected by the blaze. Photo: submitted