Arson attacks on Shropshire barns: Stop now before you kill someone, warn fire chiefs
Arsonists responsible for devastating barn fires in Shropshire were today warned: "You are putting lives at risk".
Both fires are being treated as suspicious and those responsible were asked to think about the consequences of their actions.
The first blaze involved 600 tonnes of hay in Yew Tree Lane, Wistanswick, near Market Drayton. The second was just 10 miles away on Shay Lane in Forton, near Newport.
Both started in the early hours of yesterday morning – and fire crews remained at both sites last night damping down.
Farm workers at Forton described a "whoosh" as the fire took hold. They said the entire winter feed had been destroyed and warned they fear a "tragedy" in the future.
Jim Barker, station manager at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, warned: "Anyone who plays with fire creates dangers. These deliberate fires should not happen at all. We have had quite a few incidents in the area recently involving large piles of straw or hay on fire.
"Police and our teams are investigating some that may have been started deliberately. These types of fires mean fewer crews are covering the local towns and it takes us away from carrying out our job."
Last week a farmer likened arsonists to terrorists after a stack of straw worth about £3,000 was deliberately set alight.
Adrian Marsh, from Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, spoke of his anger and frustration following the latest in a long line of similar incidents.
It came after a stack of about 65 tonnes of straw was set on fire in an arson attack off Rosehill Road, Market Drayton on October 22. In September police warned people to be vigilant after fires at Nesscliffe, near Oswestry, Hodnet and Crudgington.
