Massive blaze at Suffolk farm

TWENTY of the county's fire fighters were today tackling a severe blaze, which gutted two farm outbuildings in Little Cornard.

Fire fighters had been stationed through the night tackling the blaze, which broke out at 8.20pm at Horseshoe Farm, in Chapel Lane.

They were concerned with the safety of nearby residents and crews after they discovered there had been acetylene cylinders in the barn, which can become very volatile when heated and may be liable to explode.

Assistant Divisional Officer Pat Dacey, of Bury St Edmunds unit, said: "Acetylene cylinders are used for welding and if involved in a fire can be very unstable and very hazardous. Last night was a very severe fire and the safety of the public who live nearby was paramount, along with the safety of fire fighters.

"Fortunately, because of the isolated location of the fire we did not have to evacuate any residents. It would have been a major incident if it were in the middle of Ipswich.

"It certainly presented the fire service with a challenge, which we overcame and dealt with. It was challenging in terms of what was involved, how quickly it developed and in terms of no real availability of water".

The fire was still smouldering early this morning and crews are expected to remain on the scene until early afternoon, damping down and making sure the fire is out.

The limited water supply meant that water from a nearby swimming pool was used to help bring the flames under control. "Fire crews did encounter a very well developed fire in the early stages and we worked very quickly to prevent the fire spreading".

Two fire crews from two counties had initially been involved in tackling the blaze. And crews from Wickhambrook, Bury and Princes Street, Ipswich, were still at the scene early this morning.

The cause of fire is going to be investigated later this morning and the owners of the farm did not wish to comment.