Farm hit by massive barn blaze

More than 50 firefighters from across two counties tackled a huge barn blaze involving up to 500 tonnes of hay and machinery at a farm on the Shropshire border.

Firefighters from across Shropshire and Powys were called out at the height of the fire at Upper Stockton Farm in Stockton, near Marton, Welshpool, last night. The fire broke out shortly after 9pm.

They spent three hours tackling the flames before standing down, but one crew was still at the scene this morning keeping a watching brief as the hay continued burning.

The owners of the farm were counting the cost of the blaze which completely destroyed the farm machinery and hay.

Susan Roberts, who runs the farm with her husband Phillip, today said: "We have lost all the forage for the winter and a few machines.

"The damage will run into tens of thousands of pounds, I should think.

"The fire is still smouldering now and I think it will carry on for a few more days. Luckily no-one was injured.

"The barn is set away from the farmhouse so our home was not affected."

Fire engines were sent from Bishop's Castle, Minsterley, Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Tweedale and two from Powys.

Crews called to the scene last night reported the blaze had spread to an area measuring 50m by 50m.

Firefighters used hoses to fight the flames and specialist equipment to get at the seat of the blaze. An eye witness, who did not want to be named, spotted the fire on his way to the nearby Sun Inn pub.

He said: "From what I saw it looked like it was a big fire. There was a lot of smoke and I could see the flames as well."

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

By Chrissy Symmons