Arson warning after farm blazes

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The costs of a spate of farm fires in Powys approaches the £1m mark

A spate of village farm fires is being treated as arson, say police.

Farm buildings and machinery have been destroyed four times over the past six weeks at separate blazes in the Forden area near Montgomery, Powys.

Extra police patrols have been mounted after the two most recent fires, at Great Hem farm last Friday and nearby Stalloe farm on Tuesday.

Dyfed-Powys Police and a farming union have warned farmers to remain vigilant and appealed for information.

The fires have all happened within about 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

A police spokeswoman said: "Following a recent spate of fires in Powys, Dyfed Powys Police, the fire service and the forensic science service have reviewed all four fires.

The farms are located within about 1.5 miles of each other

"They are currently being treated as arson because they are all unexplained and all quite close together geographically. A criminal investigation is underway involving CID officers from Welshpool and Newtown.

"Farmers are urged to continue to be vigilant and anyone with any information is asked to contact the police in Newtown."

More than 30 firefighters tackled the Stalloe farm fire near Montgomery on Tuesday, which destroyed a 135ft (41.1m) long barn containing about 2,500 bales and machinery, and a sheep shed.

Farmer Chris Pennie said he and his family now planned to form a neighbourhood watch scheme as a preventative measure.

Last Friday, more than 50 firefighters took 12 hours to tackle a blaze at Great Hem farm in Forden, which gutted a building and destroyed about 20 items of machinery including a combine harvester.

Some 500 tonnes of fodder and 200 tonnes of grain also went up in smoke.

Meanwhile, on 26 September and 18 October crews tackled two separate fires at the village's Woodlands farm.

Mr Pennie, who runs Stalloe farm with his father and brother, said: "Officers from the fire service and CID were here yesterday and they think it's arson.

Fire-fighters fought the Great Hem fire for 12 hours

"They carried out tests on some of the bales which hadn't burned and they said they didn't cause the fire, and it wasn't the electrics either.

"Everybody in the area is very concerned and we are considering forming some sort of farmers' neighbourhood watch to try and prevent further fires."

Colin Trow runs Great Hem farm with his family.

He said: "I'm not an expert, but I think an arsonist is operating in the area.

"We had our fodder (which was in the destroyed building) tested for heat after the Woodlands fire and it was declared okay.

"There were no electrics in our building either so in my mind there's only one logical conclusion."

The Farmers' Union of Wales has urged vigilance.

Rhian Nowell-Philips senior policy officer said: "Our advice is to get guidance from local fire prevention specialists.

"When it comes to combating arson, and we do not yet know if any of these fires fall into that category, it is a question of being very vigilant.

"We also have to be good neighbours and keep our eyes open as we travel rural roads, and be ready to report anything suspicious."

Mid and West Wales Fire Service has urged farmers to keep a close eye on their buildings and asked them to check hay temperatures.