ARSONISTS struck in a Fenland village yesterday as they sat light to around 200 tonnes of straw.
The straw on Dykemoor Drove, Doddington, was well ablaze when fire crews arrived just before 6am.
A fire service spokesman said: “We contained the fire and established a fire break to stop it spreading any further.”
Crews will be re-inspecting the scene later today.
The spokesman added: “The cause of the fire was deliberate.”
Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
The blaze follows news that Cambs fire service is teaming up with partner agencies in a bid to crack down on straw stack fires.
Arson Liaison Officer at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Martin Boome said: “We take a dim view of any kind of fire which is started deliberately - including stack fires. This type of fire has the potential to kill, not only those in the nearby vicinity, but also the arsonists themselves.”
The number of stack fires across the county has fallen year on year with just 12 incidents in 2012/13 compared with 31 in 2009/10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here