Street firefighters tackle blaze involving 500 tonnes of hay

Firefighters from Street were among eight crews who tackled a blaze involving 500 tonnes of hay yesterday afternoon (September 16).

Just after 3.30pm yesterday, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue control received a call to report a hay rick on fire in Ash, near Martock.

Control immediately mobilised two fire engines and a bowser to attend in order to deal with the fire.

On arrival the incident commander confirmed a large fire and immediately requested a further four fire engines to attend.

In total, eight crews attended the incident, coming from Street, Burnham-on-Sea, Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Martock and Somerton.

This was a large fire involving 500 tonnes of hay, within close proximity to a further two barns.

One of the barns contained cattle, while the other barn contained 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser, 300 tonnes of hay and 300 tonnes of grain.

Also in close proximity to this barn was a diesel tank containing 10,000 litres of diesel.

By 5.30am today (September 17) all fire crews had left the scene and the incident was left with the farmer.

One crew is re-attending this morning to make sure it is still under control. The cause of the fire has been established as accidental.

To put out the blaze, crews used hose reel jets, light portable pumps and safety jets.