Crews tackle straw fires at farms

The roof of the barn was destroyed by the blaze in Brook

Nearly 2,000 tons of straw were destroyed when fire broke out at a farm in Kent.

Firefighters also had to decontaminate the scene in Hampton Lane, at Brook near Ashford, when asbestos was found.

The fire spread to farm buildings and at one stage a herd of cows had to be moved to safety.

Hundreds of tons of straw also caught alight at separate fires in Staplehurst, near Tunbridge Wells, and Patrixbourne near Canterbury.

Fire officer Simon Oakley said: "Initially there was the danger that there was a herd of cows relatively close to the barn that was on fire, but these were fortunately removed by the occupiers of the premises."