Police are investigating three ‘suspicious’ barn fires in the Burnham-On-Sea area in the early hours of Saturday.
Firefighters from across Somerset were called to tackle the farmyard blazes in the early hours – one at Burtle Road in Westhay at 2.20am, another close by at the same time, and a third at Blakeway, Wedmore at 12.45am.
The incident at Burtle Road in Westhay – pictured here – saw crews from Burnham-On-Sea, Street, Bridgwater, Wells and Bridgwater sent to the scene where a large amount of straw and a barn was destroyed.
A fire service spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The incident involved a barn measuring 50m x 30m with 150 tonnes of hay destroyed by fire. The structure was 75% damaged by fire. Crews used two 45mm jets and dampened down surrounding area. The cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate. Police were in attendance.”
In the separate Wedmore incident, appliances from Glastonbury, Cheddar, Street and Wells, plus a water carrier from Bridgwater were sent to the fire at 12.45am.
The fire spokesman added: “On arrival, the crews found the barn in a field to be well alight. There were no adjacent buildings and no life risk. After carrying out a thorough investigation firefighters confirmed the fire was contained within the barn.”
“Crews maintained a watching brief over the fire which involved one barn measuring approximately 10m x 6m containing 100 to 120 tonnes of hay which was totally destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate.”
“A further revisit was carried out at 10am where crews reported the whole structure had now completely collapsed. Affected stock and building were 100% damaged by smoke and fire.”
Anyone with information should contact Burnham-On-Sea Police via the non-emergency number 101.
