MULTIPLE calls were received on Friday, December 21, at around 6am reporting a barn fire at a farm in Northcott.

Two fire appliances from Holsworthy and Launceston, together with a water carrier from Danes Castle, Exeter, were mobilised.

Within minutes of the first crew arriving it was confirmed that farm machinery and a large quantity of woodchips were well alight inside an agricultural building measuring 20m x 30m.

Crews set to work fighting the fire externally but the attendance was soon increased, just after 6.40am, by a further two fire appliances, which were mobilised from Launceston and Hatherleigh. 

Firefighters made steady progress over the next few hours using compressed air foam, main jets, hose reel jets, a fog spike and breathing apparatus, together with two telehandlers belonging to the farm, which were used to remove 80 tonnes of woodchips. 

By 9.20am the incident was under control and the fire extinguished. The crew said the contents were completely destroyed by fire, but the building was saved, with only 10% effected by heat and fire.

Once crews were satisfied that there were no hotspots and the area was made safe, duty of care was left with the owners. A spokesperson said there were no casualties.