Barn and tractors destroyed in blaze (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Barn and tractors destroyed in blaze
9:00am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Emma Dunn
Geoffrey Plaister, the owner of the fire damaged barn at Diana Lodge Farm , Collins Lane , Purton
INVESTIGATIONS are underway at a stud farm in Purton after a fire destroyed the hay barn and agricultural machinery.
The blaze happened at Diana Lodge Stud, in Collins Lane, at 1.30pm yesterday.
The hay barn, two tractors and a horse box are thought to have been damaged.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but police were also called to the scene to determine whether it was suspicious.
Geoffrey Plaister, who has owned the stud farm for 34 years, said: “We are not allowed near it but I imagine it is all burnt out.
“You could see the flames and there was terrible smoke. Two tractors and a horse box are gone.
“I don’t know how it started. I was upstairs resting and somebody going down the lane shouted to me.
“I have been here 34 years. Years ago we had a hay barn done, but that was on purpose. A young man climbed to the top of the barn and set fire to it.
“The fire was far enough away from the five stud stallions so they were okay.
“Two tractors have probably gone up in smoke and a lovely horse box that Princess Anne used to own and drive. That has probably gone.”
Mr Plaister said he was not sure how much the damage would cost to repair. “The buildings are insured and one of the tractors but nothing else,” he said.
Six crews from Westlea, Cricklade, Swindon and Stratton were called out to the scene, as well as a water carrier from Royal Wootton Bassett and an instant command vehicle from Stratton.
A spokesman for the fire and rescue service said: “We were called out at 1.30pm to a four-bay barn which was 7m by 15m. It contained agricultural machinery.
“The fire was out by 3pm and we have been damping down. Police are in attendance because it could be suspicious.”
Crews used four breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet and one main jet to put out the fire.
A spokesman for the police said no arrests had been made in relation to the incident.
Anyone with information can call police on 101.
