CREWS from Bude Community Fire Station have recently attended a shout at a field behind Stratton Primary School, off New Road, where bales of hay were deliberately caught alight.

The call was received at 4.14pm on Wednesday, August 31, with three appliances and 12 firefighters attending the scene. The bale stack measured 5 x 5 metres and was approximately four metres high, containing 90 small bales. The farmer, who owned the bales, was also in attendance.

Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, one main jet and one hose reel jet supplied from a hydrant. Additionally, six pitch forks and a digger, driven by the farmer, were used to break up the stack.

This helped crews to turn and dampen the blaze, and enabled them to control the flames with their main jet and hosereel jet.

Seven hours after the initial call, crews from Bude returned home. No injuries were reported.

Crews have expressed thanks to the farmer who assisted with his digger at the incident.

A spokesperson for Bude Community Fire Station said: “Without him (the farmer) helping we would probably still be there this morning.”

Officers from Bude Police were also in attendance, and have recently confirmed that the incident was a cause of arson.

PCSO South, who attended the scene with PCSO Baxter, said: “Our investigation has led us to speak with a young child who is helping us with our enquiries. We are confident we do not need to speak to anyone else regarding the fire.

“We had a number of fire appliances in attendance and it took several hours to extinguish the fire. In fact, it re-ignited the following day and had to be put out again.”

PCSO South added: “Clearly lighting hay bales has serious implications. Due to the recent dry weather, the hay would have been very dry, as would be the remaining field the hay was in, and could have spread further had not prompt action ensued. The farmer has lost an enormous amount of hay used primarily to feed cattle this winter.

“I would personally like to thank three young girls, aged 11 to 13, who were in the area at the time, who were instrumental in the fire service being called shortly after the fire took hold. They had no involvement whatsoever.”

To find out more information, visit the fire station’s Facebook page or @BudeCFRS on Twitter.