Live stock evacuated as multiple fire crews deal with barn blaze outside Midhurst

According to West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, it received reports of a fire at an agriculture building just before 8pm last night (Monday, June 22).

The fire service said the barn contained approximately 70 tonnes of hay, with a number of adjoining buildings which 'housed around 40 sheep in them'.

Crews from Midhurst, Petworth and Petersfield found one barn 'well alight' and, by 9.15pm, had moved livestock to a 'place of safety'. A crew from Bordon Fire Station was called to assist at the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: "Assisted by the Technical Rescue Unit and farm staff, they removed the sheep from adjoining barns and started to extinguish the fire.

"The incident commander requested an additional appliance and water carrier to assist him to bring the fire under control.

“Firefighters used four main jets and a quantity of foam to protect other buildings. They worked through the night along with the farmer to remove the hay with machinery to open fields and extinguish it."

At 2.30am this morning (Tuesday, June 23), the incident was 'handed over' to crews from Chichester and Horsham.

"Crews will remain in attendance throughout the early hours and into the day," the spokesperson for Midhurst Fire Station added.

The county fire service confirmed that fire officers were due to return this morning to reinspect the scene.

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