TWO fire crews from West Devon attended a well-alight barn fire in the Crockernwell area of Okehampton last Friday. A police patrol discovered the barn fire at a farm in Higher Fingle just before 4.10am, and firefighters were in attendance shortly after. One crew from Chagford, two from Okehampton and a water bowser from Exeter arrived at the scene and discovered a single storey double Dutch barn, measuring approximately 50m x 40m, and approximately 50 large straw bales, were well alight. The firefighters managed to reduce the fire and stop it from spreading any further. Only 25% of the building was severely damaged. Firefighters were relaying water from a nearby hydrant using the water bowser to tackle the blaze, and also used two hose reels and one main jet. The barn was being used to house a large number of geese and it is known a number perished in the fire, although many were rescued by farm workers. Police are currently investigating the theft of around 250 geese stolen from the barn prior to the fire. They believe that a vehicle would have been used to transport them and are appealing for anyone travelling through the Crockernwell area in the early hours of Friday morning to contact them if they noted anything unusual. Police would also like to hear from anyone who has been offered the birds for sale. Police are treating the fire as suspicious. To contact Okehampton Police call 08452 777444 and quote the log number 98 301107.