FIRE crews from Tavistock, Bere Alston, Yelverton and Callington attended a barn blaze at Rubbytown Farm at Gulworthy last Saturday.
Around 40 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, which was discovered at around 4.50am.
Tavistock station commander Chris Neale said when they arrived they found the barn and hay well alight. Approximately 100 large bales of hay were inside, and 1,000 tons of silage.
The heat and smoke was going into a shed opposite, which contained cattle, and these were removed to safety by the farmer.
The firefighters were assisted by the farmer, using front end load tractors, to remove the hay from the barn. The silage was unaffected.
The fire, which was under control by 6.30am, was believed to have been due to spontaneous combustion.
Mr Neale reminded farmers to be vigilant, especially in view of the recent wet weather, and to ensure hay was ready for storage. If a stack is thought to be overheating, the fire service can measure the temperature with a probe.
The number to dial for this during office hours is 01392 872200. Outside these hours the normal 999 number should be used.
A spokesman for the service said they were hoping to enhance this temperature probe facility for the coming season and discussions were under way at present.
l Police are investigating three small gorse fires which occurred last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights off the Brentor to Mary Tavy road. The fires occurred around 10.30pm and are said to be of a suspicious nature.