Crews to re-inspect barn fire site because of risks

Crews are preparing to re-inspect the site of a fire at a barn containing propane gas cylinders after flames spread to a building containing live ammunition.

Firefighters from Wickhambrook, Ipswich Princes Street, Stowmarket, Newmarket, Needham Market, Haverhill, Ixworth and Bury St Edmunds attended the farm in Upper Town, Wetherden, at about 13:46 BST on Wednesday.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service also sent responders from Thetford and Diss, while Suffolk Police officers put road closures in place.

A specialist hazardous materials adviser from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service attended at the height of the incident because of the risks present, including low-level asbestos in the roofing.

Everyone at the scene had been moved to a safe area, the Suffolk Fire Service said.

A stop was issued at 19:24 on Wednesday, with crews remaining on scene until 21:30.

The fire service said a re-inspection would take place on Thursday and an investigation into the cause of the fire would be resumed at 10:00.

A spokesperson said: "Early reports are that the fire is in a barn that is used to house workshop equipment and propane gas cylinders and is spreading to an adjacent building containing live rounds of ammunition."

Mark Cragg, temporary group manager from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said fire crews found a "very well-developed fire" upon arrival.

"The fire is now fully surrounded and crews have worked incredibly hard and will be looking in the coming hour or so to scale down appliances on scene," he said.

"Safety of the crews is absolutely paramount to us and we've been able to remove an element of risk because of the fast actions of our crews."

Anglian Water and the East of England Ambulance Service have been informed, while UK Power Networks engineers have been asked to isolate power.

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