Bonfire blamed for straw stack fire

A spark from a bonfire is thought to have caused a straw stack fire on a Dorset farm.

Emergency services received a call reporting a fire involving straw bales in Milborne St Andrew, between Blandford Forum and Dorchester.

See also: Pigs perish in Suffolk farm fire

The call was received at about 4pm on Monday (13 April).

Fire crews from Bere Regis and Blandford were mobilised and on arrival reported straw bales well alight.

Crews used two hose reel jets, one main line and a farmers tractor to extinguish the fire and protect the surrounding area.

A further crew from Blandford was requested for water supplies.

Firefighters managed to stop the fire spreading to a nearby barn.

The stop message was received at 5.30pm, but crews remained on scene until 6.45pm.

Dorset fire service said embers from a controlled burn was thought to have caused the blaze.