FARMERS in the Fens are being urged to keep a look out for arsonists, after a barn fire destroyed thousands of pounds worth of machinery this weekend. Fire control received numerous calls from concerned members of the public after 40ft flames were spotte

FARMERS in the Fens are being urged to keep a look out for arsonists, after a barn fire destroyed thousands of pounds worth of machinery this weekend.

Fire control received numerous calls from concerned members of the public after 40ft flames were spotted in the area of Dykemoor Drove, off Primrose Hill in Doddington at about 11.10pm on Friday.

One crew from Chatteris, two crews from March, one crew from Manea, a water carrier from Yaxley, one crew from Sutton and one crew from Ramsey attended and discovered that this was a fire in commercial farm buildings.

The fire was well alight on their arrival and was in danger of spreading to a number of nearby farm buildings. Crews used four jets to extinguish.

EDF energy was called by the fire service to isolate the electricity supply as the fire had spread to a nearby electricity pole.

Two tractors, two trailers, a fork lift truck, a potato harvester, 600 tonnes of potatoes, 150 tonnes of straw and other farm machinery were destroyed by fire, however crews worked through the night to stop the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings. They returned to base by about 8.20am. The incident was concluded after a re-inspection at the site at 4.20pm on Saturday.

The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate. The police have been informed.

Ady Slack, station manager for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This was a well developed fire which was well alight on our arrival, with flames measuring about 40ft.

"When we arrived several buildings were on fire and crews worked hard to stop the fire from spreading to other buildings which were nearby.

"This fire is believed to have been started deliberately. I am urging other farmers to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the police.