Firefighters prevent south Shropshire hay blaze

Nearly 30 firefighters managed to stop hundreds of smouldering hay bales from going up in flames at a farm in south Shropshire.

Smoke was seen billowing at the barn at a farm in Milson, near Cleobury Mortimer, shortly before 6pm yesterday and the farmer quickly alerted the emergency services.

Firefighters were able to stop the bales from igniting and removed them from the barn before dousing the smoke.

A spokeswoman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue said: "There were 27 firefighters at the scene and an officer. There were no physical flames but lots of bales smouldering.

"We were able to remove the burning bales from the barn and we got there in good time which was important. The farmer phoned us as soon as the smoke was spotted."

Lionel Bradley, farmer at Lower Langley Farm , in Milson, said: "Kerry, my son Rob's partner,, went out at about 6.30pm to feed the piglets.

"It was very lucky she did and spotted the smoke. The fire service was called and Kerry phoned Rob who couldn't get her out of the house fast enough.

"We moved about 300 hay bales in total and only lost about eight. It was very lucky. I think it was caused by an electrical fault."

It is not believed the fire was suspicious and no-one was injured.

Two fire crews from Tenbury Wells and one from Cleobury Mortimer and Craven Arms, a heavy pumping unit from Craven Arms, a water carrier from Bridgnorth and a support officer from Shrewsbury all attended the incident.