FIREFIGHTERS were called to Petrockstowe in the early hours of Monday morning to tackle a large barn fire.

Three crews from Hatherleigh, Okehampton and Torrington attended the incident along with a water carrier from Barnstaple. On arrival crews requested a further crew due to the barn being well alight. This came from Okehampton along with the incident command vehicle from Honiton.

Crews tackled the blaze in the single storey 20 metre by 10 metre barn containing 20 tonnes of straw and 30 tonnes of large hay bales from 3.30am in the morning until just after 8.30am.

Crews were protecting nearby buildings using breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet and Western Power were called to attend to isolate power to a transformer which was located close to the barn. A water shuttle was also in use.

The barn was left severely damaged by the fire, the cause of which was accidental.