Asbestos alert as barn gutted in Oswestry farm blaze

Schools and homeowners were urged to shut windows and doors after a large fire gutted a barn and caused a suspected asbestos leak.

Firefighters were sent to a farm in Gobowen Road, Oswestry, as thick black smoke filled the air on the outskirts of the town this morning.

The road from the A483 into the town was shut as crews tackled the blaze in the barn, which started at around 10am.

Police at the scene confirmed there was a suspected asbestos leak, with fire officials urging locals to stay in doors due to the amount of smoke.

Deryn Jones from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Because of the large amount of smoke, we are urging schools and local residents to keep their door and windows closed.

"The fire is very close to the hill fort and that is sheltering the area from any wind. However there is a concern about the wind changing."

Interactive map of the area:

Two crews from Oswestry attended along with Shrewsbury, as fire fighters battled the fire throughout the morning.

At one stage crews had to move further into Oswestry to get water due to a broken water hydrant on Gobowen Road.

Traffic began to build in the town throughout the morning as the road remain closed while firefighters made the scene safe.

Pictures have revealed the barn has been completely gutted and at the moment it is not known what caused the blaze.

Hot weather warning

Mr Jones warned people to take care in the hot weather to avoid starting fires, after a glass bottle discarded in a garden in Telford caused a fire.

He added: "With the ground so dry we are warning people to take care when they are in the countryside, particularly over the weekend.

"A person in Telford had a very lucky escape when a glass bottle discarded in their garden caused a fire. Luckily a neighbour saw it and the fire was quickly put out.

"Anything that can cause a reflection can cause a fire as well as obvious things like discarded cigarettes and barbecues."