Anger at third farm fire in just 24 hours
Sep 2 2010 by Alastair Craig, Evening Chronicle
POLICE are today probing the third devastating farm fire in 24 hours.
The latest blaze saw a stack of 1,000 hay bales set alight at a farm in Belford, Northumberland.
Crews from Belford and Alnwick were scrambled to Mousen Farm, which is just off the A1, at 9pm last night.
Police closed the A1 in both directions for three hours as smoke billowed over the carriageways.
On Tuesday, fire crews from across the county attended separate blazes at Causey Park, near Morpeth, and Chevington Moor, just one mile away, at around 9pm.
The incidents, which were reported 25 minutes apart, both involved barn fires where more than 2,000 hay bales were being stored for use as animal feed.
Northumbria Police are treating all three fires as suspicious and have launched a search for those responsible for the attacks.
No one was hurt during the incidents and livestock was evacuated to a safe distance.
The 1,500-acres at Causey Park Farm has been operated by brothers Stephen and Peter Hogg for more than 20 years, and they described the malicious fires as “despicable”.
They are urging anyone who knows the offenders to come forward.
Stephen, 62, who is married to Diana, 61, said he was alerted to the blaze by children who had been riding bicycles nearby.
“The barn which was targeted is a bit away from the main buildings so the first we knew of the fire was when some children from Hagg Cottages raced to tell us,” he said.
“I can’t really describe what I’d like to do to the people who did this.
“It’s mindless destruction of an honest family business.
“It’s totally despicable and it’s going to take time to sort everything out.
“This is something that a working, busy farm could well do without.
“I think we’re insured for the damage but it’s going to hit our business for a while. Anyone who even thinks they know anything about this should call the police to stop this happening again.”
At Chevington Moor Farm, which lies on the other side of the A1 from Causey Park, a barn and more than 1,000 hay bales were set alight.
The livestock and arable business is run by 55-year-old Christopher Manners and his family.
Neighbourhood Inspector for Morpeth, Alison Best, said: “Both of these incidents are suspected arson attacks.
“We are working alongside the fire service to establish the circumstances and the cause of these fires.
“Nobody was hurt and there were no animals inside either of these barns at the time.
“But a substantial amount of damage has been caused.
“This type of incident is not common in our rural communities.
“The areas can rest assured that we are working to find those responsible.
“An investigation is underway into both incidents, which police believe may be linked.”
Lee Buckingham, group manager for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, said the method used to start the fires was still unknown.
He added: “Fire investigation officers and Northumbria Police are currently investigating both fires.
“The cause of these fires is unknown, however it is believed that they are linked.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 03456 043 043.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
