Firefighters from Shepton Mallet helped tackle a blaze at a barn in Marston Bigot last night (June 29), which saw 150 tonnes of hay destroyed.

Just before 7.15pm, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a call from a member of the public reporting a fire in a barn in the village near Frome.

Three fire appliances from Frome, Warminster and Shepton Mallet, along with a water carrier from Yeovil, were immediately mobilised by Fire Control.

On arrival, the incident commander confirmed that one hay barn containing approximately 150 tonnes of hay was well alight and quickly got crews to work with hose reel jets to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings and machinery.

A further three fire appliances and a water carrier were requested as the incident was sectorised.

These came from Bridgwater, Westbury, Shepton Mallet and Trowbridge along with a Command Support Unit from Street and an Incident Support unit from Martock.

The incident, which started accidentally, was brought under control using main jets and water carriers. All 150 tonnes of the hay was destroyed by the fire.

Local residents in the area were advised to keep windows and doors shut due to a likely ongoing smoke plume.